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My wife suffered from Alzheimer’s Dementia for at least five years and I looked after her until she had a fall and it was discovered after a scan that she had a brain bleed. After it was drained and a brief stay in hospital, she finished up in a care home as I was myself not able to look after her, until she passed away last year after 18 months on the home. In the last 6 months she did not know me inspite of being married for 58 years.

My dad passed away a year ago in April, he had dementia for around 9 years. At first it was small things same as all the other stories you read but the last few years before he past was so hard. Aggressive when he was previously a gentleman & really nasty to 1 great granddaughter, then he was put on a drug which stopped all that, thank god.. 4 months before his death my mum could no longer care for him at home, she was 82 then & dad was up alot at night & wore nappy pants which he took off & so she had a wet bed every night. Taking & leaving my dad at the home broke my heart, but we had to.. Dad did well at the home was clean & put on weight, he wouldn't shower or bath at home. Dad unfortunately caught covid & pneumonia & passed away in hospital. I feel he spared us the final stages of not eating & choking when he did, he passed away in his sleep.. Dad didn't deserve this disease, he never smoked or drank & ate healthily.. I'm just glad he never knew what was going on in his last year..

My Dad was diagnosed with mixed Dementia 12yrs ago, sadly we lost him in June 2019, after caring for him with my sisters in his final few months as he was a proud old school man, who didn't want anyone to know, so sad watching the head of our family, slowly fade away in front of our eyes. I ran the London 2 yrs running for Alzheimer's, the year he died and the year after. I was asked by Virgin to tell my story and be one of their vloggers the year I ran for Dementia Revolution, that year I met lots of people suffering with dementia, as young as in their 20's to people in their 90's. Sadly 3 months after losing Our Dad, our Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, we were able to keep her at home for a while and then in assisted living, until 2yrs ago when we had to put her in a home, she is now final stages and every week is so hard seeing her deteriorate. People don't understand the sadness it puts on families, the tables turn, you become the parent and sadly you feel you lose your parent over and over again, even though they are still alive.

Me, My Mum & Oobeedoo

Just over seven years ago, my dear Mum, Joyce, was diagnosed with severe dementia. It was devastating, and we had to make the difficult decision to move her into a care home where she could receive round-the-clock care. Our priority was her safety and well-being, and I’m so thankful that she found happiness in her new environment.

Even though I never outright asked her if she still recognized me, it didn’t matter. What mattered most was that she was still my Mum, and the connection we shared through music became a beacon of light for both of us. On one early visit, I brought along a playlist I had put together, full of her favourite songs. I called it "Mum Songs," and I had no idea how powerful it would be.

As the music played, something amazing happened. Mum started smiling, her eyes brightened, and she began singing along. She remembered every word. I was floored. Watching her lips move to the lyrics of songs like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” was one of the most heartwarming and emotional moments of my life.

At one point, she even kicked off her slippers and, with her eyes closed, started dancing under the table, her feet tapping to the rhythm. It was so spontaneous and joyful. I asked her, "What are you smiling about?" and she said, with a big grin, "I’m dancing with the GIs."

“The GIs?” I repeated, not sure what she meant. "Yes," she laughed, "With them and my friend at the dance hall in Woolwich, when there wasn’t a blackout." The way she was transported back to a specific time and place through the music absolutely blew me away. It wasn’t just the memory of that time—it was the fact that, for a moment, it felt like I was having a real conversation with my Mum again.

After that visit, I started thinking—Mum loved music so much, but the devices to play it were too complicated for her: CDs, radios, iPads, or even voice-activated speakers. I thought, wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a simple, one-touch music box? Something where Mum, or her carers, could just touch it to play her favourite songs, and touch it again to pause.

I shared this idea with my friend, Mark, not realising he was an electronics engineer. Two days later, he showed up at my house with a little blue box and a yellow button. “Press the button,” he said. I did, and a song started playing. “Press it again,” he instructed. I pressed it, and the music stopped. “Is this what you meant?” he asked. I felt a surge of emotion as I said, “Yes, that’s exactly it!”

And just like that, Oobeedoo was born. What started as a way to bring joy to my Mum, I hope will bring joy and spark conversations for others on their journey with dementia, just like her one day.

My Mother was a lovely little old soul but when Covid struck and she was already living on her own she developed lewie body dementia. I live in Devon and could only see her on a few occasions but family lived around the corner but very rarely visited until mar got really bad and was put into care.It was very very sad because she was fit used to walk everywhere and the thing that got her in the end was the 🧠 Brain so sad to see my mother scared that men were in the house and people were on top of buildings and I got there once and the poor dear was hiding in a cupboard barricaded herself in there with sheets and towels has the man was coming to get her.The only thing I was very upset about was people used to visit her all the time then Covid and after covid no one one bothered so I feel loneliness was the eventual killer 😢 The only good thing is she is now reunited with father 😢

My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2022 aged 72. His disease has rapidly progressed to the stage he is now needing full time care and always has a 1-2-1 carer at his care home. Dad is under section 117 meaning his care home is funded by local authority and social services. He’s had a terrible time being tormented by his symptoms of visual hallucinations and feelings of not knowing where or who he is. He can’t find words and becomes so frustrated he’s given up speaking all together. The most stressful part for us is the fact care homes local to us refuse to take dad because they’re refused the cost of funding by the government or say they don’t have the staff to cater for people on 117’s. Dad is currently 90mins away from us meaning we barely get to see him. The disease is devastating enough without the added stress of knowing dad is spending his final months mostly alone and without his family, the family he desperately wants to see. The professionals have put us and my dad in this awful catch 22 situation of putting him on section 117 meaning, he can’t come home, he has to go into a care home and he has to have a 1-2-1 carer 24 hours a day to prevent him harming himself yet they’re not prepared to pay for it. My dad, who’s worked his whole life is now living a life of misery and loneliness because he’s been put in a care home so far from his family.