Freddie stared at his grandchildren and asked: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Jake and Moira looked at each other in surprise. They thought their grandfather was joking. But, then, their grandmother, Jane, took them to the side and told them: "Grandpa is sick. He has dementia."

Through a simple story, the health authorities are trying to raise awareness about a disease that affects an estimated 4,500 people in Malta, a number expected to double within 25 years as the population ages.

The colourful book, published by the Elderly and Community Care Parliamentary Secretariat, was penned by popular children's author Trevor Zahra with pictures by C.S. Lawrence and will be distributed in schools for Year 6 children.

Titled In-Nannu Nesa X'Jisimni (Grandpa Forgot My Name), the book explains that dementia affects memory and sufferers can even forget their loved ones.

Important parts of the brain start to stop functioning at an alarming rate, causing severe memory loss, mental confusion, language difficulties, mood variations and personality changes in dementia sufferers.

In fact, Jake was surprised when he saw his grandfather all dressed up, with a briefcase in his hand and preparing to go to work. "I am late for work. I need to catch the 7 a.m. bus," Freddie told his grandson. In reality, the grandfather had retired 15 years earlier.

Sometimes, dementia sufferers even forget what they had just said. Grandfather Freddie asked Jake and Moira what time it was. But soon after Moira answered, her grandfather asked again, and continued asking the same question.

In another instance, Freddie did not want to go into the house, insisting it was not his home. People with dementia often forget everyday things and Freddie had to be fed because he could no longer hold a spoon in his hands.

The story ends with Freddie going to a day centre, giving his wife more time for herself and more energy to take care of him in the evening.

Some 60 per cent of carers suffer from a form of depression, anxiety or breakdown, making some help a necessity.