"Camp Building Bridges" Helps Teens Caring for Relatives With Alzheimer's

When we think of caregivers, we usually think of spouses or adult children of those who have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. But with the increase in cases of early-onset Alzheimer's, more and more children who are only in their teens are faced with caregiving responsibilities.

When Tracy Mobley was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, she saw how her son struggled as he entered his teens and wondered how many other teenagers were going through similar challenges. She was awarded a grant to start Camp Building Bridges, a week-long gathering specifically for teenagers who are caring for a parent or grandparent with dementia.

The first camp was held from July 6 - 12, 2008 in Oklahoma. Ten teens spent the week together learning about dementia, sharing their stories, supporting each other, and just plain having fun without the stresses of caregiving weighing them down.

Plans are already underway for a 2009 camp. Thanks, Tracy, for your courage, compassion, creativity, and hard work. This is a fantastic idea.

Suggested Reading:

• Talking to Kids About Alzheimer's
• Coping with Early-Onset Alzheimer's

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