The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently donated more than 4,000 educational coloring books to the Yonkers and Mount Vernon School districts to help teach children about Alzheimer’s disease in an age-appropriate manner. “Dancing with Granddad: A Coloring Book for Families About Alzheimer’s” was distributed to kindergarten and first-grade students in the 31 elementary schools throughout Yonkers Public Schools and 11 elementary schools in the Mount Vernon City School District.
The coloring book is a teaching tool adults can use to have a conversation with a child about Alzheimer’s disease. As children color in the pictures, they go on the journey of learning in an age-appropriate way that a loved one has Alzheimer’s and will need to move to a new home.
Along the way, they gain an understanding of why someone with Alzheimer’s disease may suddenly be acting differently or have difficulty remembering things or performing tasks which used to come easily.
“Nearly every family has had someone in their lives affected by Alzheimer’s disease or knows someone who has. When children encounter a person with Alzheimer’s they may have questions because they don’t know what is happening. This book helps adults explain it to them in an age-appropriate manner so that they become more understanding, supportive and have more positive interactions,” said AFA President and CEO Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. “AFA is pleased to work with Yonkers Public Schools, the Mount Vernon City School District, and the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation to provide this educational tool to thousands of children.
“The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation supports families affected by Alzheimer’s. We are pleased to assist the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in their efforts to educate young people about Alzheimer’s through their books,” said Daniel Harris, a member of the Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Families interested in purchasing copies can visit AFA’s e-store at shop.alzfdn.org.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure.
