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My dear old dad had Alzheimer’s so I know quite a bit about it , in my early 50 s I went to my doctors because I was worried about my memory basically he shrugged me off saying it’s just getting older . 5 years later I went back as I new I was deteriorating I was sent to a neurologist during Covid and 10 months later I was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s. My neurologist advised me to keep doing the things that I have always done and with the help of my wonderful wife family and friends I’m still living a good life I still work part time and try and go out socially etc, yes it’s a struggle and I get very tired in the evenings and find it hard to concentrate. I’m currently being screened for a new drug by dementia research hopefully I will be accepted as I would like to give something back probably be to late for me but will help others in the future. I worry for my loved ones as they are the ones that are going to see me deteriorate as I witnessed my own father’s decline. I tell them I love them every day and we are still making wonderful memories. My advice as my neurologist said keep going for as long as possible enjoy today and don’t look to far ahead. Brian

My Mum is also my best friend. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's during Covid pandemic. Caring for her is so stressful. I not only have her day to day care to organise, but I need to try to plan for her future and budget for her rest of life care. There's also the house to run, food to buy, medicine to organise. And ontop of this the emotional pain of seeing her struggling with even simple tasks, trying to make herself understood, and apologising for being stupid and a bother. It's practually hard and emotionally heartbreaking.

My husband has early onset dementia he is 64 and was diagnosed 2 years ago. He couldn’t continue working and I had to give up work to become his carer. We have tried to remain positive and have joined a number of groups. We particularly enjoy singing clubs. We laugh together at the little things he does but I know oneday we will no longer be laughing.
Today I realised how much I do already and how much he relies on me. ( I have injured my knee) Every thing I asked of him needed step by step instruction an example was ‘ please make 2 black coffees with no sugar and no milk. He went away and came back saying why do we need the kettle on if you don’t want sugar ?? I asked him to pass me the scissors and he gave me two bread knives. This is only the start I know.
I miss my independence as I am never ever alone. I think the government need to re think Carers allowance. I had to get new glasses last week and was told There was no discount for Carers unless I get Universal Credit or another means tested benefit . I get £327 a month and my glasses when even choosing the cheapest were £152. My husband gets PIP and ESA but that’s not me. Luckily we share our income but shouldn’t have to

Julie & Brian

Hi, my story of Alzheimer’s begins in 1947 I was two years old and was raised by my mother’s family in Cincinnati Ohio. Including my mother, grandmother and grandfather, two Aunts. My father appeared from time to time. For a short time.
When I turned 12 my grandmother had what they called hardening of the arteries. My Grandfather retired at the same time. He died when I turned 14. He and I did the best to keep up with Grandmother. After his death the job feel to me. , after school. Until I joined the USNR at age of 17. Next in line was my brother who was 13 when I left. My mother had to quit her job as my grandmother become more difficult.
I included in the photo of my wife and I have ask her to write a couple of paragraphs as she is my caregiver.

Ive been looking after my nan for 5 years now the signs were there for 4 year and was only diagnosed 12 months ago with mixed dementia and is at the early stages ive Always been very close to my nan the fighting and the changes ive had to go threw to get her the write support she is entiled to i didnt no about lasting power of attorney as no one told me about this so now im raising awareness of this at Many meetings i ettend as I do alot of voluntary in the community myself of the importants of a lpa and to get health and wellbeing and finance and also the importants of a will as I didnt no about wills to remember threw the Alzheimer’s Society which im now also raising awareness of as well i new about dementia but didnt fully understand it till now as when you are around a loved one alot and see the signs ect I understand this alot more
Im scared and frighten of the changes to come along the way i know there are so many amazing services out there that can support people like myself looking after someone with dementia
My messge to others out there you are not alone

I lost my driving licence the same day I was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia. I also had to give up a role in a primary school I loved. My family had to adjust to my condition, and I am still trying to accept my diagnosis 3 years later. Our income stopped immediately, and so did our lifestyle and yearly sunny holidays abroad we were used to. My family support me with every day life, and also helped me set up Power of Attorney for when my condition gets to a point I cannot manage. The government have no idea how families are affected by dementia, and how quickly it affects finances in the home, and the knock on effect on everyone in the family supporting us.

Dorothy has been my loverly partner companion may best friend and a beautiful lady .
Now I have lost the love of my life to this terrible illness , she went down hill so quickly she doesn’t know me now , I feel so lonely and alone it breaks my heart. She as had many years of mental health issues it doesn’t seem fair but she is in a beautiful place with fantastic staff and supportive people around her and is well looked after.
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