The Alzheimer’s Association is focusing on often overlooked victims of the progressive brain disease—children.

At a certain point, a grandparent may no longer recognize a grandchild and, in later stagestheir personality may change and cause them to become angry and abusive, said Sue Murphy, the association’s director of development.

“The grandchildren are heartbroken. They don’t know what’s going on with their grandparent,” Murphy said. “If you have a beloved grandparent who’s saying ‘I hate you’ all of a sudden, it’s devastating.”

Recently, the nonprofit began offering free consultations in its Camarillo office for children who have a relative suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Often adults who have a parent suffering from the disease are too busy with work and family obligations to pay attention to the emotional needs of their children, said Norma Featherstone, Ventura County director for the California Central Coast Chapter.

The second generation may be running two households— their own and that of their parents. In addition, they try to shield their children from the disease by not talking about it. That’s a mistake because children usually know what’s going on in the family anyway, said Featherstone, a registered nurse and one of three experts at the Camarillo office who’ll explain the disease and its progression to children.

Before working for the association, Featherstone cared for her husband, who had dementia for 10 years before his death in 2007.

“I think it’s a very needed thing,” she said of the free consultations.

Children need to be able to ask questions and discuss their feelings, which can include embarrassment, grief, resentment and guilt regarding changes in their grandparent’s behavior, Featherstone said.

Parents should talk with their children about the disease and, if necessary, make an appointment for them at the association for a free consultation.

“If they don’t understand (the disease), it’s going to be hard for them to accept,” Featherstone said.

Ventura County is home to 12,541 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2030, the number is expected to climb 110 percent, Featherstone said.

In addition to counseling, the association will give children free brochures and books on Alzheimer’s disease, including Maria Shriver’s “What’s Happening with Grandpa?”

Featherstone recommends that parents seek counseling with a mental health professional if their children continue to have problems after discussions about Alzheimer’s.

For more information, call the Ventura County office of the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter at (805) 485-9412 or visit 80 Wood Road, Ste. 302, in Camarillo.