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My beautiful Grandfather Don was always the life and soul of the party. My Grandparents moved from London to be near my parents in Gloucestershire. About a year later they noticed my Grandfather hiding post and often sitting there in conversation going blank and silent. A few minutes later he would come back and say “I have had one of those funny moments haven’t I”? 2 years later he was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. No one really understood his diagnosis at the time. Gradually his memory declined and he would try and get outside the house and wander. Very little support, advice and guidance was given to the family in terms of how to manage this. My Parent’s eventually moved my Grandparent’s into their small home to care for my Grandfather on a daily basis. Until you witness this incredibly cruel disease yourself you have no idea the challenges that this brings. The constant monitoring, care and reassurance and the decline of someone who was so animated slowly deteriorating in front of you. The constant fright that when you enter their bedroom that night to give medication that they don’t know who you are! The constant battle that you face every day to give them the quality of life and care they deserve on your own. You feel you are at breaking points at times and this has to change.

Our amazing dad grandad passed away with vascular dementia the Xmas before covid hit. Mum god bless her looked after him till her health was being affected
. They had been together for 65years. He enjoyed the party but didn't know why. He was diagnosed 4 years earlier but we think he had it long before . He was 87 when he passed peacfully in his home . My mum never got over it .luckily he was in thus home for respite for mum so they new my gentle dad. In the September he was admitted to the hospital I'll not name as he had a urine infection. He had no idea where he was he was scared.There was no specialist dementia nurses. One evening apparently a nurse tried to turn him in the middle of the night calling him by his first name. He didn't recognise that name was never called by that name . So scared he lashed out and caught a nurse. He was then labelled violent. The nurse was so upset but protocol meant he was labelled violent and a man of 87 was put on behavior report. That meant the home mum and organised close to their home woukd not take him. It was them who told us of the incident not those in charge of his care.
No other home would touch him dad was the most gentlest man. Even the physiotherapist he had to see said he wasn't a danger to anyone. It was circumstances . Late at night no idea were he was people shouting a name he didn't know he was scared.
Thankfully the respite home who knew him would take him. That was September he was happy but had know idea who the family was and mum . It broke her heart . It broke the grandchildren their beloved grandad was just a body. A blessing he passed away 23rd December.4 years . The death certificate said dementia cause if death. He always said he didn't
want to be in a home.
I wish people really understood. Uou see your loved ones disappear. Their body Is there but the have no idea who you are. Dad woukd look at as us with scared eyes that haunts me forever. My amazing kind gentle dad.
Please help others its too late for us .To the government invest in research this disease that kills more people in UK and to reverse NICE decision and allow this new drug on NHS

I recently lost my beloved mother to vascular dementia! She had been battling the disease for a long while and the weight of the illness was extremely heavy on her and the rest of the family. Unfortunately the caregivers were not able to cope very well and one after the other were burned out. The fact none of us could do anything to prevent the progression of the disease was hardest to deal with. She eventually forgot what her children and family looked like. It is a cruel and heartbreaking disease and little by little take away everything you used to know and love…I miss her so much and she suffered a horrific death. I am angry and devastated by her loss, and hope that a cure can be found sooner than later.

My husband had dementia for 8years before he died. At the beginning it was just him forgetting names & things that had happened. It was a gradual progress to starting to forget family members & leaving the house & wandering around not knowing where he was. I cared for him at home for 5years until I couldn't cope anymore with never having a nights sleep & then unable to go anywhere as he wasn't safe to be left on his own. He went into a lovely nursing home & had wonderful care. He eventually didn't know me or any of our children. He loved music & little children & our youngest grandchildren who was about 1yr old brought a smile to his face. He was in care for nearly 3years but eventually stopped eating & developed a chest infection & died during covid. It's 4years now & I miss him every day
It's a horrible condition.

I have Alzheimers the effect of which is forgetfulness and loss of precious memories. Fortunately my husband is my full time carer so he tells me about places we have been and seen so acts as my memory. I would be lost without him with me.
He orders all my medication and sorts it for me as I cannot remember what I take. I can no longer drive so he takes me everywhere. He is also a very good cook and cooks our main meal everyday.