03/11/2026
How do you explain dementia or memory loss to a child?
Many caregivers struggle with this question when someone in the family begins to change.
Kids are often the first to notice that something is different. Without context, they may try to explain those changes on their own.
Open conversations can help them understand that memory loss is not about someone forgetting because they don’t care. It’s a change in how the brain works.
These conversations don’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s often better for them to happen in small moments over time rather than one long discussion.
What matters most is helping children feel safe asking questions, expressing worries, and knowing that the adults in their life are there to support them.
In this video, Sarah Hoff, LMHC, a therapist at Nolia Health who specializes in supporting caregivers, shares guidance on how to approach these conversations with kids.