Real stories ‘With Alzheimer’s, you are constantly in a state of grieving’: Loretta’s dementia story When Loretta's mum, Dinah, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, Loretta began to grieve for the person she was before her diagnosis. Dinah sadly passed away in 2020, which has led Loretta to reflect on her personal experience as a carer. When Loretta's mum, Dinah, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, Loretta began to grieve for the person she was before her diagnosis. Dinah sadly passed away in 2020, which has led Loretta to reflect on her personal experience as a carer. ... 25 August 2020
Real stories Living with memory loss – Creating a short film with my grandfather’s old footage Following the passing of his grandfather, David found his old film reels and created a short film, which was broadcast by the BBC. David reflects on their relationship before dementia, and how the condition affected his grandfather in his later years. Following the passing of his grandfather, David found his old film reels and created a short film, which was broadcast by the BBC. David reflects on their relationship before dementia, and how the condition affected his grandfather in his later years. ... 18 August 2020
Real stories A dementia poem about my mum and care home restrictions Jane has written a heart-breaking poem about how coronavirus has affected her and her mother, who has dementia. She shares her worries about her mum's quality of life when there were visitor restrictions in place for care homes. Jane has written a heart-breaking poem about how coronavirus has affected her and her mother, who has dementia. She shares her worries about her mum's quality of life when there were visitor restrictions in place for care homes. ... 14 August 2020
Real stories Why I take part in Memory Walk: Jeanette's story After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 56 years old, Malcolm sadly passed away in 2018. His wife Jeanette remains passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society, and explains why she continues to take part in Memory Walk. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 56 years old, Malcolm sadly passed away in 2018. His wife Jeanette remains passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society, and explains why she continues to take part in Memory Walk. ... 13 August 2020
Research 5 hopeful takeaways from the world’s biggest dementia research conference Dementia research has been hit hard by the pandemic. But at the Alzheimer’s Association International conference (AAIC), the biggest dementia research conference in the world, there was plenty to feel hopeful about. Dementia research has been hit hard by the pandemic. But at the Alzheimer’s Association International conference (AAIC), the biggest dementia research conference in the world, there was plenty to feel hopeful about. ... 04 August 2020
Real stories Dementia and Lockdown: 'This must be what you live with every day, Grandma' As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the UK begin to ease, 13 year old A'yaan thinks about his grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. We have published A'yaan's piece here completely unedited. As the coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the UK begin to ease, 13 year old A'yaan thinks about his grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. We have published A'yaan's piece here completely unedited. ... 31 July 2020
Real stories Mum's loss of expressive and receptive language: Tracy's dementia story Tracy, a speech-language therapist, tells us about her mum's journey through the stages of dementia and the difficulties dementia causes with communication - particularly in expressive and receptive language. Tracy, a speech-language therapist, tells us about her mum's journey through the stages of dementia and the difficulties dementia causes with communication - particularly in expressive and receptive language. ... 28 July 2020
Real stories Another Cup of Tea: A son's diary about caring for his mother with dementia Martin Dewhurst’s book, 'Another Cup of Tea’, is a journal through his experiences of being a full-time carer for his mum with dementia. Martin hopes his journey of highs and lows will help others find their way to cope with the role. Martin Dewhurst’s book, 'Another Cup of Tea’, is a journal through his experiences of being a full-time carer for his mum with dementia. Martin hopes his journey of highs and lows will help others find their way to cope with the role. ... 24 July 2020
Real stories Woodworking to keep the mind active: Liz and Carl's dementia story Liz and her husband, Carl who has vascular dementia, have been in the crafting business since the late 1970s. Since Carl's early retirement at 48 years old, they now spend time together making wooden animals for their friends’ gardens. Liz and her husband, Carl who has vascular dementia, have been in the crafting business since the late 1970s. Since Carl's early retirement at 48 years old, they now spend time together making wooden animals for their friends’ gardens. ... 08 July 2020
Real stories Needing support as a young carer during coronavirus - Susanne's story For Susanne and her husband David, who lives with mixed dementia, coronavirus has brought a stop to their busy routine. This has been hard on them both, and Susanne says the Government must not ignore people affected by dementia if lockdown measures return. For Susanne and her husband David, who lives with mixed dementia, coronavirus has brought a stop to their busy routine. This has been hard on them both, and Susanne says the Government must not ignore people affected by dementia if lockdown measures return. ... 03 July 2020
Real stories Me, my mum and frontotemporal dementia When Jess’s mum, Janice, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Jess struggled to find more information about the disease. Having found support through Alzheimer's Society and others, she hopes her personal story about FTD can help people in her position. When Jess’s mum, Janice, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Jess struggled to find more information about the disease. Having found support through Alzheimer's Society and others, she hopes her personal story about FTD can help people in her position. ... 02 July 2020
Real stories How I moved into my husband's care home to say goodbye during coronavirus - Anne's story As coronavirus spread across the UK in February, Anne Davies was given the option to stay with her husband Allen in the care home where he lived. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to visit him otherwise, Anne moved in to be with Allen in what turned out to be his final weeks. As coronavirus spread across the UK in February, Anne Davies was given the option to stay with her husband Allen in the care home where he lived. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to visit him otherwise, Anne moved in to be with Allen in what turned out to be his final weeks. ... 25 June 2020