(HealthDay News) -- If someone in your family is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it is important to talk with children about what is happening, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says.

The amount of information you share should depend on the child's age and maturity.

The agency suggests how to help kids understand Alzheimer's:

  • Answer questions simply and honestly.
  • Help kids understand that feelings of sadness and anger are expected.
  • Comfort children, telling them that no one caused the disease.
  • Identify activities that the child can do with the person with Alzheimer's, such as an arts and crafts project, playing music, looking through photographs or reading a story aloud.