Welcome to Red Wagon Wheel. Red Wagon Wheel is a support group organization which focuses on the change in the family dynamics due to when a grandparent, who has Alzheimer’s Disease, moves in with the family. The adjustment can be difficult for children, especially for teenagers.
This organization was started by Noelle Fischer, whose grandfather has Alzheimer’s Disease, moved in with her family. As an only child, who was quite mature for her age, felt lost in her own family. This was attributed to the fact that her parents had to treat him like a child because he struggled with the basic tasks of showering and brushing his teeth. Noelle was torn on how to treat him. She wanted to give him the respect that he deserved but he also acted like a younger sibling. This confused Noelle about her position as a teenager in the family.
To help her understand why her grandfather acted the way he did, she set out in search of a support group for teens. When she could not find one, she created one herself. Noelle has established chapters both on the east and west coast. If there is not one in your location, you are welcome to start a chapter. To do so, go to the tab that says “Starting a Chapter”. There are more people who are in a similar situation, you just have to start a conversation and keep it going.