On behalf of the Pancyprian Alzheimer Association, Dr Sideris Bakouras, Neurologist – Psychiatrist, has written the following summary of a new children’s book called “My Grandpa and Mr. Alzheimer: a fairy tale for the young and the old”.
The strange, incomprehensible and multi-symptomatic clinical picture of Alzheimer’s disease poses problems of a professional, economic, social and family nature. The present book deals with the tangible and intangible nature of these problems in the most creative way. The understanding of the strange nature of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in families with patients, is a prerequisite for patient support and assistance and for a balanced living for the carers as well as for the patients.
The author succeeds with clarity, simplicity, comprehensiveness and a flowing narration to describe the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She succeeds in a very inventive way, through a fairytale and through a grandson’s dream, to describe and interpret all the symptoms and strange behaviour of a beloved grandfather who is also an Alzheimer patient.
In the first part of the story, besides the description of the disease and how its various manifestations affect the family life, the author gives a general but accurate explanation of the brain structures, which are the base of the corresponding brain functions, as well as of the processes of change and malfunction of their normal activity.
The second part offers brief and clear explanations and interpretations of the related scientific terms for the understanding of the symptoms of the disease. In the last part of the book, we see creative exercises and quizzes to help the young readers understand the meaning of the story. It is also worth mentioning that every scene of the book is illustrated expressively and clearly by Mrs Theodosia Kotsika, so the reader dives into a trip in the centre of the human brain and visually explores the Alzheimer disease.
Because of all the above, this book is recommended to all readers, particularly to those who have to deal with situations similar to the ones described in the story, as well as to carers of Alzheimer patients and health professionals. The book is also available to buy online.
