Real stories The challenges of working while caring for a loved one with dementia Since Yvonne’s mum, Joyce, moved in with her, Yvonne has been left juggling care and work. Like so many carers, she has found herself spread thinly far too often. Read what this means for Yvonne and others who have to stop working to care for a loved one with dementia. Since Yvonne’s mum, Joyce, moved in with her, Yvonne has been left juggling care and work. Like so many carers, she has found herself spread thinly far too often. Read what this means for Yvonne and others who have to stop working to care for a loved one with dementia. ... 28 September 2019
Real stories 5 ways dementia stigma must be challenged Some people affected by dementia have felt discriminated against. Here are five people’s first-hand experiences with the stigma of dementia. Some people affected by dementia have felt discriminated against. Here are five people’s first-hand experiences with the stigma of dementia. ... 27 September 2019
Real stories Tony's story: 'We were determined dementia wouldn't drown out the music' In retirement Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer. Since his wife Sheila was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, his focus has turned to raising awareness of dementia. His poem, ‘Farewell Tour’, celebrates the life-enhancing power of music. In retirement Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer. Since his wife Sheila was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, his focus has turned to raising awareness of dementia. His poem, ‘Farewell Tour’, celebrates the life-enhancing power of music. ... 26 September 2019
Advice How to help a stranger who seems lost and confused Here's what you can do if you meet a member of the public in need of help that you believe has dementia or memory problems. There are ways to assist the police in the event that someone who is vulnerable goes missing. Here's what you can do if you meet a member of the public in need of help that you believe has dementia or memory problems. There are ways to assist the police in the event that someone who is vulnerable goes missing. ... 24 September 2019
Real stories Complicated relationships with a person you care for with dementia Caring for a person with dementia is difficult, especially if your relationship with the person is complex. Here, Edna shares her own personal feelings about what it's like to be a caregiver for her children's father, who has dementia. Caring for a person with dementia is difficult, especially if your relationship with the person is complex. Here, Edna shares her own personal feelings about what it's like to be a caregiver for her children's father, who has dementia. ... 23 September 2019
Real stories Laury’s story: ‘Mum became utterly lost in the fog of her own mind’ Jacquelyn was 57 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here, her daughter Laury describes the dementia journey in detail – from spotting the early signs, to the final stages – and shares what she’s learned from it. Jacquelyn was 57 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here, her daughter Laury describes the dementia journey in detail – from spotting the early signs, to the final stages – and shares what she’s learned from it. ... 20 September 2019
Real stories Breaking the cultural taboo of dementia among Pakistani communities Khalid is from a British Pakistani family in Leeds that helped to care for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Khalid is raising awareness about the condition and tackling the cultural stigma of dementia. Khalid is from a British Pakistani family in Leeds that helped to care for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Khalid is raising awareness about the condition and tackling the cultural stigma of dementia. ... 18 September 2019
Real stories Debbie's story: 'Not enough people are aware of early onset dementia, never mind understand it' At 50 years old, Debbie was told that she had mixed dementia. Following her diagnosis, the stigma surrounding dementia has had a significant impact on her life. But Debbie believes people’s attitudes towards people affected by dementia can be changed. At 50 years old, Debbie was told that she had mixed dementia. Following her diagnosis, the stigma surrounding dementia has had a significant impact on her life. But Debbie believes people’s attitudes towards people affected by dementia can be changed. ... 16 September 2019
Advice What to say when someone makes an unkind joke about dementia Not all jokes about dementia are funny, or welcome. We want to make sure hurtful comments about dementia become a thing of the past. Here we suggest 5 ways to help fight the stigma associated with dementia. Not all jokes about dementia are funny, or welcome. We want to make sure hurtful comments about dementia become a thing of the past. Here we suggest 5 ways to help fight the stigma associated with dementia. ... 10 September 2019
Real stories 'The memory thief became a regular visitor, taking pieces of my grandma.' 12 year old A'yaan won first prize in his school's public speaking competition. He wrote this emotional piece about his grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. We have published A'yaan's piece here completely unedited. 12 year old A'yaan won first prize in his school's public speaking competition. He wrote this emotional piece about his grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. We have published A'yaan's piece here completely unedited. ... 05 September 2019
Real stories How music therapy sessions are supporting people with dementia in care homes Music therapy can help to manage and reduce agitation, isolation, depression and anxiety in people with dementia. Learn more about how music therapy can support a better quality of life for people living with the condition. Music therapy can help to manage and reduce agitation, isolation, depression and anxiety in people with dementia. Learn more about how music therapy can support a better quality of life for people living with the condition. ... 03 September 2019
Real stories Alice’s story: ‘Grandad greeted me as the lady that came to clean for him’ Visiting someone with dementia in a care home can be a daunting experience. For Alice, it was important to go and see her grandad, Ronald, despite knowing how hard it would be for her. Visiting someone with dementia in a care home can be a daunting experience. For Alice, it was important to go and see her grandad, Ronald, despite knowing how hard it would be for her. ... 27 August 2019