A grieving daughter and NHS worker has written a moving children's book about Alzheimer’s to help them understand the condition after the tragic loss of her mother.

Rebeca O’Keeffe, an NHS mental health service worker for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trusts (TEWV) has penned a book she has called ‘Loved Dearly’ to help children understand Alzheimer’s after she lost her mum last year.

Rebecca’s mum Julie, from Spennymoor, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s aged just 51 after she was said to have been acting “out of character” and lived with the condition for twelve years before passing away in 2022.

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The Northern Echo: Rebecca O'Keeffe with her book.Rebecca O'Keeffe with her book. (Image: TEES ESK AND WEAR VALLEY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

Now, after her experience, Rebecca has written a book from a child’s perspective that includes mentions of memory difficulties and behavioural changes with the goal being to help families and children navigate conversations about the disease.

Rebecca said: “As an adult, trying to understand the illness is really difficult, so I wanted to help other families have these difficult and emotive conversations,” she said.

“I wanted to help families explain the changes children may see, hear and feel and encourage new ways of enjoying a changing relationship as the illness progresses.”

Before her diagnosis, Julie worked in admin for a logistics and transport firm, where behaviours including forgetting her keys and dates started to happen frequently.

“The family was devastated when the diagnosis was confirmed,” said Rebecca. “We knew something was wrong but were shocked because of her age. It just seemed so young.

“My mam was such a caring, funny, lovely lady – often the life and soul of a get-together.”

Julie spent her final years in a care home being looked after by “fantastic staff” where she passed away aged 63.

The Northern Echo: Rebecca's mum, Julie.Rebecca's mum, Julie. (Image: TEES ESK AND WEAR VALLEY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

Rebecca said: “With mam, Alzheimer’s was not just about memory loss, it was much more – like personality changes and the psychological and emotional impact on her and the family.

“It’s such a difficult situation. A loved one may act very out of character – they may get angry, frustrated, confused when previously these behaviours have never been seen.

“It can be really upsetting for children and adults to see and understand. The idea for the book came to me because I wanted to share our family’s experience to support others.”

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‘Loved Dearly’ is now the product of both Rebecca’s and her family's experience, as she admits writing felt like “therapy”.

She added: “I think mam would be over the moon with the book. She was always helping others, and I think she’d like her story will help other families.”

To purchase the book or find out more, click here.