Episode 129: Explaining Dementia To Children

Canadian author and illustrator Kathryn Harrison created her picture book “Weeds in Nana’s Garden” to help children who have family members with dementia understand and be aware of the disease. She created the book after her mother was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Kathryn’s children began asking questions about their grandmother’s odd behavior. On the show Kathryn talks about the healing properties of art, how her life changed as her mother declined and what her children learned from being involved in their grandmother’s care. She also shares how her daughter’s friends at school got involved in the process of creating “Weeds.” Note: this episode originally aired September 8, 2016. Since then Kathryn’s book has also been published in French, German and Portuguese.

Subscribe to The Agewyz Podcast: iTunes
Got a story to share? Email us any time at jana@agewyz.com

Website: Weeds In Anna’s Garden (note: your purchase of the book supports the Alzheimer Society of Canada)
Explore Kathryn’s personal website: kathrynharrison.ca
Learn more about Frontotemporal Dementia: FTD