It's no secret that grandparents can be an incredibly valuable presence in a child's life. Grandmas and grandpas have an endless amount of love to share, not to mention helpful life experience. The connection some grandparents and grandkids have can benefit both of them, often in life-changing ways.
In an adorable video posted on June 27, a 93-year-old great-grandma with dementia has traveled from the U.K. to Australia to meet her grandson for the first time, and it's clear that just being around the baby is incredibly good for her. (Plus, the little boy is having a blast, too!)
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What an unforgettably sweet moment! The baby probably won't remember this interaction, but someday he can watch this video and see how much his great-grandmother loved him. The family told ABC News that when the great-grandma is around her baby grandson, "it's like she's back to her old self." It just goes to show how powerful the presence of a grandchild can truly be. Interestingly enough, studies have shown that caring for grandchildren can even help to prevent Alzheimer's , according to USA Today. The physical activity involved also keeps grandparents healthy in a number of other ways.
Related: New Mom Introduces Her Dad With Dementia to Newborn for the First Time and It’s Beautiful
While the great-grandmother and baby in this video live far apart from each other, it's clear that they were able to form an instant bond. But what happens when a grandparent starts to develop dementia after they already have a relationship with their grandchild ?
How to Explain a Grandparent's Dementia to Kids
As one would expect, it can be very difficult for kids to understand what's happening to a grandparent with dementia , according to the National Institute on Aging.
The best thing you can do as a parent is to "answer their questions simply and honestly. For example, you might tell a young child, 'Grandma has an illness that makes it hard for her to remember things.'"
Help kids to know that it's normal for kids to feel sad or angry about what's happening to their grandparent, and make sure they know that it's not their fault.
"Comfort them. Tell them no one caused the disease. Young children may think they did something to hurt their grandparent."
It's also important for kids to know that they can still talk to a grandparent who has dementia, and even help them enjoy their favorite activities. They can even try to do things together like simple arts and crafts, sing songs, or look through photo albums.
Someday, both you and your child will be grateful for the memories of these special moments!
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