Supporting Children Through a Grandparent’s Alzheimer’s Journey with Carol Steinberg
May 07, 2025 12:16 am
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Hello ,
This week we're sharing the highlights from our recent podcast episode featuring Carol Steinberg, whose new children’s book, Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly, adds a much-needed resource for families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
A Personal Story Sparked by Loss
Carol’s journey began more than 25 years ago, during her own father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. She originally wrote the book as part of her grieving process, but it wasn’t until she’d spent years working at both local and national Alzheimer’s organizations that the story truly found its shape. The finished book beautifully balances respect, understanding, and connection for readers young and old. The realistic illustrations, vibrant and relatable, help children grasp the changes happening in their loved ones while inviting gentle, honest conversations.
Empowering Children & Families
One thing that sets Carol’s children’s book apart is its focus on empathy, understanding, and practical intergenerational activities that help children stay connected with loved ones living with dementia. As Carol says, “We need to bust the stigmas. We need the world to know that people with dementia are still people. They're still your loved ones. They may act differently—and I hope I show that in the book.”
For Adults, Too
Although written for children (ages 5 to 9, but suitable for older readers too!), this book is just as impactful for adults. As Vicki Tapia, AlzAuthors acquisitions editor, noted, the story “helps explain and cope with the changes that are happening [to a loved one].” Plus, the activities at the end offer concrete, research-backed ways that families can nurture connection.
Recommended by the Experts
Don’t just take our word for it—Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly comes with glowing endorsements from field leaders like Teepa Snow, Dr. Daniel Potts, and people living with dementia, who praise its realism, sensitivity, and stigma-busting power.
Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, parent, or grandparent, Carol’s book is a gentle guide to fostering compassion, understanding, and lasting memories—no matter where you or your loved one are on the dementia journey.
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In Case You Missed It . . .
Don’t miss this powerful podcast featuring author Debra Tann, Ed.D the CEO of Reminiscent, who brings a vibrant blend of experience to the field of dementia education. Her journey into this space began with a career in education and a keen eye for behavioral changes in her husband, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As a certified dementia educator and author of The Race of Dementia, Debra's expertise offers caregivers practical guidance and emotional resilience, drawing from her own lived experiences. Her compassionate approach and dedication to enhancing caregiving skills make her a valuable resource for those navigating the complexities of dementia care. This is the replay of a recent Books & Chit Chat event with Aging and Amazing. You can join future live book discussions with authors here.
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Coming Up for Book Club
May's book discussion will be an insightful, delightful peek into the world of Peter Berry, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, accompanied by his friend and co-author Deb Bunt. Read their blog post here.
Book Description: Slow Puncture is an account of a year in the life of Peter, an ordinary man living in a sleepy Suffolk (England) village. Happily married and running a successful business, Peter's life changes when, at the age of fifty, he is given a terminal diagnosis of early onset dementia. Since that day, he has learned to live with his very own dementia monster. From depression and suicide attempts through to his determination to confront his dementia, Peter has embarked on a series of challenges to show that life isn't over with dementia, it's just a little different. Peter has raised thousands of pounds for dementia charities, cycling hundreds of miles in his quest to show that life is always worth living. When Peter meets Deb, recently retired, they embark on regular cycle rides and, as their friendship grows, Deb is able to look at her own life through the lens of Peter's dementia. In Slow Puncture, Peter tells the world what it is really like to live with a terminal condition and Deb learns to enjoy each day more fully. With a foreword by the late best-selling author Wendy Mitchell, author of Somebody I Used to Know, this is an inspirational look at both living in the present and coping with dementia.
Peter and Deb have also authored Walk With Me: Musings Through the Dementia Fog" a compilation of the thoughts and poetry of Peter Berry, which we will also discuss.
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A New Addition to our Collection
Australian physician Helena Popovic’s “Can Adventure Prevent Dementia?: A Guide to Outwitting Alzheimer’s” is a meticulous doctor's all-consuming search for the cure to her father's Alzheimer's, leading to a discovery she did not expect: Dementia need not be a disaster or a dread; instead it can be a doorway to creating a smarter brain, stronger body, and more fulfilling life.
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Nurses Week Starts Today
Today is National Nurses Day, kicking off Nurses Week, which celebrates the work of all nurses within the healthcare system who care for those in need and support those who care for them. AlzAuthors is gifted with a number of nurse authors who have contributed their stories to our collection. We thank them for their dedication today and everyday.
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Virtual Caregiver Conference
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Grant Application is Now Open
Dementia Spring recently announced that the application window for its Dementia Arts Fellowship is open through June 1. The Fellowship, previously called an Impact Award, includes up to $5,000 in grant funds, technical expertise, marketing support, and access to a network of over 400 artists changing the stories we're telling of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Dementia Spring's cohort of Fellows are doing some amazing things, like the !Oye! Group hosting healing rooms in New York City, expanding the reach and the message of Mercedes, and Kim Blanck's acceptance to the Tribeca Film Festival for her short film depicting dementia, Gloria. We can't wait to see who will join the ranks this year.
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Podcast Focuses on Elder Law Issues in Dementia Care
AlzAuthor Malia Kline (Sisterly Shove) recently spoke with podcaster Kim Hegwood about her shared care experience for two parents with her physician sister. Kim, an Elder Law Attorney, knows all too well that many families are not prepared when "life happens." Her podcast offers insights into different subjects you may not have considered. With knowledge comes power. Tune in to the podcast every Thursday as they discuss information you may need when "Life Happens!"
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Start Spreading the News . . .
In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we published a news release telling our story and outlining our plans for this momentous year. Here it is. Please share this with your family, friends, followers and contacts in dementia care.
Thank you.
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Take a Chance on Our 10th Anniversary Book Giveaway!
Winners selected monthly!
First three winners were chosen!
Watch your email inbox for notification!
Enter once to win all year.
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2025 Books & Chit Chat, Podcasts, and AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Events
5/27 - Books & Chit Chat with Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, Slow Puncture: Living Well with Dementia, a memoir, and Walk With Me: Musing Through the Dementia Fog, poetry
6/4 - NEW AUTHOR: Alfredo Botello, Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver
6/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Jean Lee, Alzheimer’s Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir
7/2 - NEW AUTHOR: Marjorie Maddox, Seeing Things, a poetry collection
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Love Podcasts?
If you enjoy listening to podcasts, check out the resources for caregivers on the Whole Care Network's Streaming Radio App. You'll discover a number of informative and inspirational podcasts dedicated to the caregiving journey.
Available in the Apple store and Google Play.
Disclaimer: Our Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast is supported by the Whole Care Network.
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Susan’s Design of the Week
Please share this image with your friends and followers on social media using the following text, copy, paste and hit send!
Have you ever read a story that felt like it was written just for you? Our stories and #dementia resources are created from personal experience to help you feel validated and offer comfort, insight, and understanding. You are not alone! https://alzauthors.com/
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We have so much to learn . . .
Tune in Friday, May 16th, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET for a Live Talk with dementia advocate Wally Cox where he'll share his experience living with dementia and his path to diagnosis. His long-term love of doodling has turned into a passion for learning skills like pottery and water coloring and focuses on what he considers his calling: speaking out and encouraging those with cognitive issues and creating a community of friends worldwide. He’s involved in dementia advocacy with organizations like Dementia Alliance International, Dementia Action Alliance, and Reimagining Dementia, and believes that the dementia journey does not need to be one of isolation, but one of friendships through shared experiences, hope, and encouragement. RSVP to learn more about his experience with dementia and advocacy through his art.
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Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:
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Thank you for supporting our mission to
connect caregivers with resources.
Your Management Team
L to R: Vicki Tapia, Ann Campanella, Christy Byrne Yates,
Marianne Sciucco, Susan Landeis, and Jean Lee
How to reach us:
Marianne Sciucco: podcast host/producer
mariannesciucco@gmail.com
Jean Lee: acquisitions editor, Custom Caregiver Collections
jean@alzheimersdaughter.com
Vicki Tapia: acquisitions editor, children's books
vicki.tapia@gmail.com
Ann Campanella: Custom Caregiver Collections
anncampanella@gmail.com
Susan Landeis: Custom Caregiver Collections
contact@susanlandeis.com
Christy Byrne Yates: podcast host/producer, YouTube channel manager
christy@cbyates.com
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