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Help bring dementia out from behind closed doors and tell us, what is your reality of dementia?
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My partner of 30 years recently passed with dementia,...
Mum was a very intelligent. She worked for 30+ years...
Our strong,independent, funny Mom is no more. She...
My mum has alzimers my dad pasted 9 yrs ago and had...
We moved home (and county) so my Mum and Dad could move in with us so we could care for them both. My Dad had Parkinson's and vascular dementia and died in 2021. My...
When I got married I inherited a fabulous mother in law. We became firm friends and I loved her very much. Four years or so before she died she started to lose her...
My dad died of dementia in 2011 which was very heartbreaking as it affected my children very much. After my dad died from dementia, I suffered a stroke
Im 39 and my mum has dementia! My mum was also...
I know I am at the earliest stages but my GP can't...
Sadly in January this year dementia took away my...
My mum was diagnosed with the early onset of alzheimers disease when she was 63 going on 64 it’s been 5 & a half years now since she was diagnosed & it’s...
My elderly neighbour was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2023. With no close relatives in the U.K., myself and some other friends have been looking out for her and...
My partner of 30 years recently passed with dementia, she suffered with it really from 2017-18 when I noticed a sudden change and when she took early retirement, her mood changed also I noticed that her writing which was always neat started to deteriorate lots of little things were also apparent, it was slow but progressive then the obvious things like bad temper cleanliness and incontenence , she spent the last two and half in a care home there’s more to say about that but she passed away holding my hand peacefully finally free of this disease.
David
Mum was a very intelligent. She worked for 30+ years as a teacher of maths and English in the local jail and progressed to being the head of department. She retired aged 70
Once she retired I began to notice her struggling to find words when speaking. For someone who had spent her life teaching the English language I knew something wasn’t right. I also began to notice subtle personality changes and her getting fixated on things and them consuming her time.
During a GP appointments I raised the issue of her speech difficulties and my concerns. The doctor conducted a MOCA test which she passed and then said she definitely does not have dementia and I should stop worrying. I was not convinced.
Months passed and numerous test took place each time being told she was fine. After 8months we decided to go private and she was diagnosed with frontal temperal lobe dementia
She is no longer the woman she was. It’s my mums body but it’s no longer my mum. There aren’t conversations any more, she never asks how I am doing.
I often wonder if the GP had listened to me straight away and she had of been given the medication sooner could I of had a little bit longer of the mum I knew.
Once she retired I began to notice her struggling to find words when speaking. For someone who had spent her life teaching the English language I knew something wasn’t right. I also began to notice subtle personality changes and her getting fixated on things and them consuming her time.
During a GP appointments I raised the issue of her speech difficulties and my concerns. The doctor conducted a MOCA test which she passed and then said she definitely does not have dementia and I should stop worrying. I was not convinced.
Months passed and numerous test took place each time being told she was fine. After 8months we decided to go private and she was diagnosed with frontal temperal lobe dementia
She is no longer the woman she was. It’s my mums body but it’s no longer my mum. There aren’t conversations any more, she never asks how I am doing.
I often wonder if the GP had listened to me straight away and she had of been given the medication sooner could I of had a little bit longer of the mum I knew.
Charlotte
Our strong,independent, funny Mom is no more. She cared for our Dad for 10 years,suffered stage 4 cancer and survived. Then Parkinsons came but not alone,it came with dementia with lewy bodies .And now full blown Alziemers. Gone is strong Mom,but frightened, doubly incontinent, unable to communicate or recognise us. Each time she wakes a little more is missing.
We love her and she doesn't even know.
We miss her. But we wish she could have peace from this awful disease
We love her and she doesn't even know.
We miss her. But we wish she could have peace from this awful disease
Sue
My mum has alzimers my dad pasted 9 yrs ago and had said think something is wrong with mums head.
She has lived with ys for 5 yrs now we do everything fir her me and her carer my husband. We take her to memory lane groupeach week and a coffee morning at one of our local homes in felixstowe.
She has lived with ys for 5 yrs now we do everything fir her me and her carer my husband. We take her to memory lane groupeach week and a coffee morning at one of our local homes in felixstowe.
Susan
We moved home (and county) so my Mum and Dad could move in with us so we could care for them both. My Dad had Parkinson's and vascular dementia and died in 2021. My Mum has had a formal diagnosis of dementia, and it's so painful watching this incredibly intelligent and independent woman, who had been the quiet support for our family, become a vague copy of her former self. A non-existent short term memory is one thing, but having to check on hygiene and self-care issues, cut toe and finger nails, is quite another. I can't bear the thought of my Mum in a care home and I'll do what I can to keep her with us here at home for as long as possible; but it has such a big impact on family life.
Sarah
When I got married I inherited a fabulous mother in law. We became firm friends and I loved her very much. Four years or so before she died she started to lose her memory and didnt take care of herself as much. She had been very active before this phase. She got worse and was diagnosed with dementia. She lived a long time though and died at age 95. I still miss her.
Julia
My dad died of dementia in 2011 which was very heartbreaking as it affected my children very much. After my dad died from dementia, I suffered a stroke
Julie
Im 39 and my mum has dementia! My mum was also diagnosed with parkinsons in her 50s so its called parkisons dementia. I have seen my dad care for her at home for years but it got too much and during covid he tried to commit suicide. I ran to my mums aid but due to her complex needs i sttuggled to cope. She went into emergency care! We battled til we couldnt anymore. Theres a stigma attached to care homes that its a bad and lonely place so my dad staved off asking the council for help to get her in financially. I had to tell him enough was enough. We got in touch with social workers which told us we could get full funding for a home. Something he did not know, and im sure he would have done sooner if only he did know. She is now in a care home paranoid and scared shes been abandoned as he doesnt understand its for her safety. I had a dream last night that my mum was trying to get on a bus, she had her walking stick and only just managed to get on grabbing the back, outer edge of it...she fell as the bus reversed onto her body and then dragged her until the bus got on a ferry, dropping her off the edge of a pier. I was screaming her name "mum, mum!" And ran to the edge of the pier with my arm outstretched. I woke myself up calling her name and noticed i was on the edge of my bed with an outstretched arm. I feel i've lost my mum but im not allowed to grieve until she passes! She has fallen from who she was! She is being dragged to where she doesnt want to be and i can do nothing. I wish the government would put in place help for carers like my dad so they dont just get support after the fact they try to commit suicide. I want carers to be completely informed that financial support is available if 24/7 care is needed. My parents come from a generation in which you just got on with it and dont ask for help and that is dangerous! More funding also for charities which pair elderly up with someone to just chat with ladies like my mum. For me now, i try to talk to my mum but she only now barks orders to me because her parkinsons gives her pain. My daughter/mum relationship has gone! Please help families like mine so our nightmares arent there to haunt us. My mum deserves to not feel lonely, my dad deserves not to feel guilt now shes in a home and we all need mental health support which is not second rate. Thank you, written by a daughter that cares.
Heather
I know I am at the earliest stages but my GP can't understand as I am too young.
Also I was diagnosed with early menopause as at the age of 40.
I know my symptoms I forget things all the time and I can't remember what I talk about a few minutes later
Also I was diagnosed with early menopause as at the age of 40.
I know my symptoms I forget things all the time and I can't remember what I talk about a few minutes later
Tracey
Sadly in January this year dementia took away my beautiful Mum she was only 55 and the pain we felt and still feel today and everyday is so hard to explain it’s took just 3 months for this disease to completly strip my mum of everything she was we and we are still waiting for post mortem results of tests for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease due to the rapid decline and symptoms, my wish is that doctors take things more serious in younger people and not just brush symptoms off we were lucky to have an amazing medical team who eventually helped us and I want the government to start putting more efforts and funds in to helping families like mine as it’s so hard to know where to turn at times.
Natalie
My mum was diagnosed with the early onset of alzheimers disease when she was 63 going on 64 it’s been 5 & a half years now since she was diagnosed & it’s unbelievable how quick this disease takes a hold.
I’m her full time carer & i do all the tasks that she now can’t do for herself.
My family members including my sister have nothing to do with my mum so it is myself that takes care of her i also have my partner & my daughter who is nearly 18 & my son who is 14 they have all been my rock when I’ve needed support.
It’s a hard work taking care of someone with dementia I’ve been a carer for a while now & I’ve adjusted to the everyday things that it brings & I’ve always said I will carry on caring for my mum & be there for her until I’m not able to give her the care that she needs anymore & if I had to give piece of advice to anyone going through this it’s to make the most of time & make memories as one day the person you care for won’t remember those memories but you will.
I’m her full time carer & i do all the tasks that she now can’t do for herself.
My family members including my sister have nothing to do with my mum so it is myself that takes care of her i also have my partner & my daughter who is nearly 18 & my son who is 14 they have all been my rock when I’ve needed support.
It’s a hard work taking care of someone with dementia I’ve been a carer for a while now & I’ve adjusted to the everyday things that it brings & I’ve always said I will carry on caring for my mum & be there for her until I’m not able to give her the care that she needs anymore & if I had to give piece of advice to anyone going through this it’s to make the most of time & make memories as one day the person you care for won’t remember those memories but you will.
Laura
My elderly neighbour was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2023. With no close relatives in the U.K., myself and some other friends have been looking out for her and ensuring she has a voice. She is now on residential care and I would like to reiterate the impact that dementia has on the families and friends, and to advise the Government needs to provide more support for people impacted by this cruel disease. The government need to provide respite to families to enable they have time to rest when looking after their loved ones in the knowledge that they are safe.
Debbie
Share your story
Help bring dementia out from behind closed doors and tell us, what is your reality of dementia?