LONDON, July 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For this year's Dementia Awareness Week (4-10 July), journalist, author and problem page editor, Virginia Ironside, is joining up with national care provider, Barchester Healthcare, and Alzheimer's Society to launch some new children's books!

'Visiting Grandad's new home' and 'Visiting Gran's new home' are original, brand-new and beautifully illustrated books, written to explain to a child what dementia is.

'Visiting Grandad's new home' and 'Visiting Gran's new home' By Virginia Ironside

Why these books are important:

- With an increasing older population, and more people experiencing dementia, we hope to educate children about this condition - The relationship between grandchild and grandparent is often a very special one and so it is important that children learn to understand the changes in a grandparent with dementia - Children's comprehension of dementia is often forgotten about when it comes to something like dementia; with the main priority being to care for the person with dementia. - Dementia care homes will look very different from anywhere that most children have been before - we hope to answer questions a child might have when visiting a dementia care home for the first time.

Virginia was approached by Barchester Healthcare to write these books. Barchester is a major care provider and has more than 100 care homes called Memory Lane Communities to take care of people who have dementia. The staff at these homes found that families were struggling to explain to young children what dementia is. Together they set about addressing this need.

About Virginia:

Virginia has been a journalist and problem page editor all her life. She now writes a regular agony column for the Independent, and a column for the Oldie. She's written several books, including seven for children. She has two grandchildren.

About Barchester:

With the highest Care Quality Commission ratings of any major UK care provider, Barchester Healthcare is recognised as the UK's largest quality care provider

At Barchester Healthcare we pride ourselves on our specialist dementia care. Our Memory Lane Communities are designed to encourage people with dementia to stay as independent and active as possible. We understand that no two people are the same and take a person-centred care approach, recognising and celebrating each person's individuality.

Barchester employs almost 15,000 people to care for more than 10,000 residents at more than 220 locations in the UK.

Note to Editors:

A Picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk

For more information, please call Aisling Kearney on +44(0)7824-898677 or email aisling.kearney@barchester.com

SOURCE: Barchester Healthcare

CONTACT: For more information, please call Aisling Kearney on+44(0)7824-898677 or email aisling.kearney@barchester.com