Poems and Poetry Topics (required) InformationAdviceNewsReal storiesResearchSupport usDementia directory
Real stories Peter's dementia poem for his wife, Joyce - 'A Changing Life' Peter has been looking after his wife, Joyce, for over 12 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 58. Peter finds comfort in writing poetry, and hopes others will benefit from reading his poem about dementia. Peter has been looking after his wife, Joyce, for over 12 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 58. Peter finds comfort in writing poetry, and hopes others will benefit from reading his poem about dementia. ... 19 November 2020
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
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 Kept away from care homes during coronavirus: ‘I am losing some of the “good days” left to us.’ Tony's wife, Sheila, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017 and currently lives in a care home. Following their enforced separation because of coronavirus, Tony shares how the lockdown has affected them, and a new poem. Tony's wife, Sheila, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017 and currently lives in a care home. Following their enforced separation because of coronavirus, Tony shares how the lockdown has affected them, and a new poem. ... 18 June 2020
Real stories Unable to visit my grandad during lockdown - Ruby's story Ruby’s grandad, George, was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago. Ruby writes about her close relationship with her grandparents, how the lockdown has affected them, and about how Ruby copes with her emotions. Ruby’s grandad, George, was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago. Ruby writes about her close relationship with her grandparents, how the lockdown has affected them, and about how Ruby copes with her emotions. ... 17 June 2020
Real stories Q&A: Elin ap Hywel Elin ap Hywel, a 58-year old woman in Aberystwyth with Alzheimer’s, answers our questions. Elin ap Hywel, a 58-year old woman in Aberystwyth with Alzheimer’s, answers our questions. ... 01 April 2020
Real stories A dementia poem for Mother's day: 'The homecoming' Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer in retirement. Sadly, both his late mother and his wife Sheila were diagnosed with dementia. Tony's focus has turned to raising awareness of the condition. His poem, 'The Homecoming', is a tribute to his mother, Gladys. Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer in retirement. Sadly, both his late mother and his wife Sheila were diagnosed with dementia. Tony's focus has turned to raising awareness of the condition. His poem, 'The Homecoming', is a tribute to his mother, Gladys. ... 20 March 2020
Real stories 'The Red Robin': Georgina's poem dedicated to her Grandad Georgina, 21, has written a poem inspired by her Grandad Brian, who sadly died of dementia. It's about his favourite bird, a robin. Whenever she sees one now she smiles and thinks of him. Georgina, 21, has written a poem inspired by her Grandad Brian, who sadly died of dementia. It's about his favourite bird, a robin. Whenever she sees one now she smiles and thinks of him. ... 15 January 2020
Real stories 'The Silent Killer' - a dementia poem for my mum Gwen cared for her mum, who had Alzheimer's disease, until her final years. Following the recent death of someone else with dementia, Gwen had a dream about her mum and wrote this emotive poem when she woke up. Gwen cared for her mum, who had Alzheimer's disease, until her final years. Following the recent death of someone else with dementia, Gwen had a dream about her mum and wrote this emotive poem when she woke up. ... 04 October 2019
Information ‘What’s life like?’ Poetry and art works by people living with dementia A group of people with dementia have created a book of poems giving insight into what everyday life is like for them. Read some of their works, which covers topics including communication, companionship and identity. A group of people with dementia have created a book of poems giving insight into what everyday life is like for them. Read some of their works, which covers topics including communication, companionship and identity. ... 03 October 2019
Information ‘Their voices rise together’: Poetry competition 2019 winners The winning and commended poets from our 2019 Dementia together magazine poetry competition. The winning and commended poets from our 2019 Dementia together magazine poetry competition. ... 30 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
Dementia Support Line