Solutions from Ukraine: Kyiv presents children's charity book on dementia as Nezabutni Café brings children and people with dementia together through comic-drawing

11.09.2026, 12:52 rubryka.com

Alzheimer Europe estimates that around 609,000 people in Ukraine live with dementia. According to the Nezabutni foundation, only about 6% of them have an official diagnosis. Stigma is one reason: families often dismiss changes in their loved ones' memory and behavior as signs of aging or feel ashamed to discuss them. Yet dementia is not a normal part of aging, and the earlier a family learns about it, the more they can do.

Silence affects children, too: when a grandparent begins behaving differently, adults often do not explain, allowing confusion to turn into fear and distance. At the same time, the person with dementia gradually becomes isolated.

Nezabutni and ARC.UA propose talking about dementia through storytelling and shared activities rather than lectures.

The first solution is the picture book "My Grandma Ozhelka and Her Curious Legacy." Its author, Khrystia Slobodian, a project manager and mother of three, wrote and illustrated the book based on the story of her grandmother Stefa. Grandma Stefa lived with dementia in her final years. She spoke in riddles, called her granddaughter by other names, and spent hours filling notebooks with rows of symbols resembling letters. Those original pages became part of the illustrations, while the book's young heroine learns to read her grandmother's curious legacy and decipher the secret word "ozhel."

"For me, this story is not just about dementia," says Nezabutni founder Iryna Shevchenko. She says the book shows children and adults alike the power of acceptance, unconditional love, and hope.

The book is intended for children aged six and older and their families. The publisher will direct all proceeds from its sale to support the Nezabutni foundation's work.

The second solution is Nezabutni Café. These are regular gatherings that the foundation organizes for people with dementia, their relatives, and caregivers. They offer a place to take a breath and feel supported, without pressure or judgment. This time, children are also invited to join the table. The cafés also meet regularly in other Ukrainian cities; announcements are available at https://nezabutni.org/activities.

The book offers a starting point for conversation: families can read it together with their children. A page contributed by the Nezabutni foundation explains dementia in plain language and points readers toward support.

The book presentation takes place on Friday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sens bookstore, 34 Khreshchatyk Street. Khrystia Slobodian and Iryna Shevchenko will discuss the story behind the book and how to maintain a connection with a loved one as dementia changes them. Marko Suprun will moderate. Registration: https://forms.gle/Jizc4kjf2uQ5n8oUA

Nezabutni Café takes place on September 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the same venue. People with dementia, their relatives, and children will join artist Nika Liubchych to create comics inspired by the book. They will have the opportunity to speak to the author in person. A shared activity eases tension: there is no need for whispered explanations when people can simply draw, talk, and laugh together. Registration: https://forms.gle/aENZFW5b4zNTBu2u6

Both events are free to attend.

Cafés for people with dementia are an established format worldwide. Dutch psychogerontologist Bère Miesen opened the first Alzheimer Café at Leiden University in 1997. The Netherlands alone now has more than 200 such cafés. According to Alzheimer's Disease International, these gatherings help tackle stigma: an informal setting makes it easier to meet people with similar experiences and discuss subjects that often go unspoken.

Do not put off seeking a diagnosis. If memory problems interfere with daily life, someone becomes confused about time or loses their way in familiar places, or routine tasks become difficult, they should consult a family doctor. The doctor can refer them to a neurologist. They can also consult a psychiatrist directly. This year's global Dementia Awareness Month campaign carries the message "The earlier you know, the more you can do."

Look after your brain health. Addressing 14 risk factors could prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission.

Get support: Call the Nezabutni foundation's free hotline at 0 800 30 88 30.

Background

The Nezabutni charitable foundation has supported people with dementia and their families since 2021 through its free hotline (0 800 30 88 30), psychological support for caregivers, and Nezabutni Café gatherings. The foundation is a member of Alzheimer's Disease International and Alzheimer Europe.

ARC.UA is a civic organization and publishing house founded in 2019 to promote critical thinking and common sense in Ukraine and around the world.