Alzheimer’s Foundation Donates Children’s Books To Suffolk Libraries

Families across Suffolk County will have a new resource to help children understand Alzheimer’s disease following a donation of specially designed books to local libraries.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has donated copies of Gardening with Grandma to libraries in the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, giving parents and caregivers another tool for explaining the disease to young children.

“For young ones, a book like this acts as a bridge to education and understanding, especially if there is a person in their life that has this disease,” a representative of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System said. “There’s no better place for a child to find that bridge than at the library.”

Designed for children ages 5 to 8, Gardening with Grandma follows 8-year-old Luke as he learns new ways to connect with his grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s disease. While her memory and behavior may change, Luke comes to understand that the love between them remains.

The book also provides adults with guidance for starting age-appropriate conversations about Alzheimer’s, including suggested questions and tips for helping children process changes they may be seeing in a loved one.

Copies are available in both English and Spanish.

The donation was supported by grant funding the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America received from the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation, David Minkin Foundation and Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation.

Suffolk families can contact their local library to determine whether a copy is available.

The foundation also operates a national helpline staffed by licensed social workers seven days a week, offering families information and assistance with Alzheimer’s-related questions.

For Suffolk County families confronting a difficult diagnosis, organizers hope putting the book on neighborhood library shelves will make an often complicated conversation a little easier to begin.