Maren Levad: Our Youngest 'Dementia Friends'

Hello Alzheimer's host, Karla Hult, talks with Maren Levad, the Dementia Friendly Initiatives Program Manager at Trellis, the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging. Maren shares about an amazing new Dementia Friends program -- one that helps younger children (kindergarten through 2nd grade) learn more about how to cope and even help during the dementia marathon. And they do so by modifying the curriculum of the proven Dementia Friends program. Listeners may recognize "Dementia Friends" from one of our earlier episodes, featuring Colleen Fritsch, the Volunteer Dementia Friends Champion Coordinator. Again, this phenomenal curriculum has been adapted to be accessible, comfortable, safe and overall age-appropriate for our kiddos. This new program can also inspire outreach throughout the country, beginning with conversations in a child's own home.  During this conversation, Maren mentions the beautiful children's book, The Remember Balloons. The University of Pennsylvania's Penn Memory Center also offers a list of dementia children's books they recommend; and the Alzheimer's Association has also curated an excellent list. A humble reminder to please like, share and subscribe to "Hello Alzheimer's" if you're enjoying these conversations. We're grateful for your support, and want to remind you... You're not alone.