Liverpool Public Library

LOADING ..
Expand Menu

LPL, Alzheimer's Association Partner to Raise Awareness with September StoryWalks

18 months ago

Two books that discuss the relationship of a child with an important family member experiencing the effect of Alzheimer's are set up through September on the Dinosaur Garden lawn and circulating through four Liverpool Central School District elementary schools, through a collaboration between the Liverpool Public Library and the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter.

The importance of the message is the subject of this week's community library column for the Eagle News Online/Star Review.

What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur Levine

'What a Beautiful Morning' by Arthur Levine is rotating through four LCSD elementary schools through September.

 If you haven't seen the column yet, you can read it here:

As the countdown continues to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, Sept. 25, on the campus of Onondaga Community College, a collaboration with the Liverpool Public Library brings a pair of special StoryWalk books to raise awareness to the community throughout September.
 
“While people often recognize the effects Alzheimer’s has on spouses and adult children, they don’t always realize how confusing it is for young children when a family member starts to lose their memory,” said LPL children’s and family services coordinator Joellyn Murry. “LPL is trying to help families talk to their children about Alzheimer’s disease by sharing two special StoryWalks this month.”
 
"What a Beautiful Morning" by Arthur Levine tells the story of a little boy, Noah, whose grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things they love. This StoryWalk is being circulated between four Liverpool Central School District elementary schools, where there also will be information for teachers and parents to share with students who may be experiencing life with a family member who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
 
T"he Day Abuelo Got Lost: Memory Loss of a Loved Grandfather" by Diane Anda shares the experience of a child whose grandfather experiences loss of memory, causing them to find new activities to appreciate together. This StoryWalk is set up on the LPL’s Dinosaur Garden lawn through September.

“The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter is proud to partner with Liverpool Public Library to help educate younger children about the disease and the changes they may be seeing in their loved ones,’’ said Kristen Campbell, Senior Director of Programs for the Chapter.

“Younger children may not understand why their grandparents and great-grandparents are having memory issues or why their parents are struggling to provide care to a parent or grandparent. Connecting through books and the library is a wonderful way to help ease children’s anxiety and fears around the disease,’’ Campbell said.

Families are also encouraged to come into the LPL while visiting to read this special StoryWalk.  “They’ll find other books about feelings, dementia or other difficult situations they might be facing,” Murry said.
 
These StoryWalks are sponsored by Golden Bee Bookshop of the Village of Liverpool.

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

In New York alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with Alzheimer’s. Additionally, more than 563,000 family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in New York State.

Both the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, and the Liverpool Public Library have free resources for children and adults on the disease and how to navigate a diagnosis.

If you’d like more information go to alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272.-900. To learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 25 go to alz.org/walk.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter also is collaborating with the LPL for the Purple Story Time, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, in the Carman Community Room.

Representatives will be available to discuss effects of the disease with family members.