Real stories A lack of Government support for dementia in coronavirus: David and Catriona's story David has looked after his wife Catriona, who has dementia, for seven years. But the national coronavirus lockdown meant their network of services fell away. Here, he reflects on the impact of coronavirus on people affected by dementia. David has looked after his wife Catriona, who has dementia, for seven years. But the national coronavirus lockdown meant their network of services fell away. Here, he reflects on the impact of coronavirus on people affected by dementia. ... 27 October 2020 7comments.
Real stories 'People with dementia have been the last to be considered in this pandemic' - Janet's story Janet moved in with her mum, Dorothy, who has mixed dementia, to be her sole carer. The coronavirus pandemic has seen all their support and social contact drop away. Now, Janet is calling on Government to address the needs of people affected by dementia. Janet moved in with her mum, Dorothy, who has mixed dementia, to be her sole carer. The coronavirus pandemic has seen all their support and social contact drop away. Now, Janet is calling on Government to address the needs of people affected by dementia. ... 20 October 2020 19comments.
Real stories My identity as a Black woman with vascular dementia is fundamental Vesna Okaikoi had a difficult childhood, not knowing who her parents were and growing up in foster care alongside her twin sister, Loraine. Now 65 years old and living with vascular dementia, Vesna reflects on the power of identity and how learning about her heritage has been a source of strength through challenging times. Vesna Okaikoi had a difficult childhood, not knowing who her parents were and growing up in foster care alongside her twin sister, Loraine. Now 65 years old and living with vascular dementia, Vesna reflects on the power of identity and how learning about her heritage has been a source of strength through challenging times. ... 15 October 2020 4comments.
Real stories Fighting for culturally appropriate care in the pandemic Jag has been caring for her mum for eight years, fighting for culturally appropriate care. The pandemic has made their struggles even worse, denying her mum essential care and having a huge detrimental effect on Jag’s own wellbeing. Jag has been caring for her mum for eight years, fighting for culturally appropriate care. The pandemic has made their struggles even worse, denying her mum essential care and having a huge detrimental effect on Jag’s own wellbeing. ... 12 October 2020 18comments.
Real stories ‘Making a new language’: How music and culture can widen the conversation on dementia Ronald Amanze has often felt culturally misunderstood when receiving dementia support. Inspired by Black history and the reggae music that shaped his early years, Ronald explains how culture can be a special tool to get people talking about dementia. Ronald Amanze has often felt culturally misunderstood when receiving dementia support. Inspired by Black history and the reggae music that shaped his early years, Ronald explains how culture can be a special tool to get people talking about dementia. ... 08 October 2020 6comments.
Real stories 'Hands': Melanie's tribute story to her mom Melanie's mom was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Known affectionately as 'Nini' by her grandchildren, Melanie's family have found it very painful to watch her dementia progress. Melanie has shared a beautiful tribute in writing to Nini with us titled 'Hands'. Melanie's mom was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Known affectionately as 'Nini' by her grandchildren, Melanie's family have found it very painful to watch her dementia progress. Melanie has shared a beautiful tribute in writing to Nini with us titled 'Hands'. ... 07 October 2020
Real stories Mistaking dementia for menopause: Marie’s story When primary school teacher Marie had trouble remembering words, she thought her memory loss was due to menopause. She didn’t think that at 51 she would be diagnosed with dementia. Now Marie and her family want to help raise awareness. When primary school teacher Marie had trouble remembering words, she thought her memory loss was due to menopause. She didn’t think that at 51 she would be diagnosed with dementia. Now Marie and her family want to help raise awareness. ... 06 October 2020 2comments.
Research Improving dementia and Alzheimer's support in Black communities For Black communities in the UK there is a greater risk of dementia, but support is typically accessed later in the journey. Alzheimer's Society is funding researcher Moïse Roche to understand the cultural factors behind these statistics, and how dementia services can meet the needs of Black African and Black Caribbean people. For Black communities in the UK there is a greater risk of dementia, but support is typically accessed later in the journey. Alzheimer's Society is funding researcher Moïse Roche to understand the cultural factors behind these statistics, and how dementia services can meet the needs of Black African and Black Caribbean people. ... 30 September 2020 19comments.
Real stories Dealing with grief through music after losing my wife to dementia Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. ... 29 September 2020 0comments.
Research Three of our researchers tackling dementia in Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities We shine a spotlight on three researchers, funded by Alzheimer’s Society, who are furthering our understanding of how different ethnic groups and communities are affected by dementia. We shine a spotlight on three researchers, funded by Alzheimer’s Society, who are furthering our understanding of how different ethnic groups and communities are affected by dementia. ... 25 September 2020
Information Memory loss but not dementia: functional cognitive disorder (FCD) Researchers have studied people being assessed for problems with their thinking and memory. Recent figures suggest that, of people going to a memory clinic with such symptoms, as many as one in four don’t have dementia. Instead, these difficulties are caused by functional cognitive disorder. Researchers have studied people being assessed for problems with their thinking and memory. Recent figures suggest that, of people going to a memory clinic with such symptoms, as many as one in four don’t have dementia. Instead, these difficulties are caused by functional cognitive disorder. ... 24 September 2020 19comments.
Real stories We Are Undefeatable: Tommy's story Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. ... 22 September 2020 0comments.
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