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My amazing mother was diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer's in approx 2011. She was a very independent woman who was still working at age 84.years. She moved from a flat to a warden assisted flat, but as her illness progressed went from a loving mother and grandmother to a person who was violent to me and had no idea who her family were. My brother and I eventually had to move her to a care home and although visiting her several times during the week, and calling me mate as she did not know whom was despite showing her family photos and telling her about her grandchildren. She eventually passed away in 2015, heartbreaking to watch her change from a loving person to the sad person she became. It's a horrible disease for people to suffer and heartbreaking for families to watch their parents fade away in front of your eyes

My aunt, my mother, my father-in-law and my mother-in-law were all diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after visits to memory clinics and my mother-in-law was also diagnosed with Vascular Dementia following a scan. They were all elderly, and refused to accept or share their diagnosis with family or friends, so the brunt of care fell to and took it’s toll on immediate family, for a long time, before more formal help was put in place, and very reluctantly accepted by them. I would like to see the difficulties due to dementia treated as a medical need and not just a social need, and for the NHS and Social Care to be combined and funded from central government, so that people with dementia get the help they need to live as fully as they can, for as long as they are able, and with the dignity they deserve.

Over twenty five years ago my beloved grandma, Isobel was diagnosed with Dementia. She had been a piller of the community in the mining village in Durham where she was born. My grandad George had passed away in his sixties through injuries from a mining accident. My grandma stared to get agitated when she heard the local council were making alterations inside her bungalow. My uncle found her one day measureing all the carpets as she thought they all would be of no use. This gradually got worse, resulting in her walking the streets at night. Her daughter, my aunt and her husband kept a close watch in her, but eventually she was so anxious and afraid that she was taken into a hospital in Durham. Over the years her condition got much worse, and she was moved several times to different homes that treated dementia. Her last home was in Hartlepool, at a hospital that especially treated very bad cases. She became very disoriented, and stopped recognising us, which was heartbreaking .. Eventually as this continued, she was like a small child, could not be understood, and not recognise all her family. She died in this hospital when she was 93. Her daughter Edith, my aunt, always said after each weekly visit to her mother, (I will not go like that will I? )Sone years later she to succumbed to Alzheimer's, and was even worse than her mother. The look on her face when we visited her was of complete confusion, and you could tell she was trying to think who we were, and why we had come to sit with her.

Before this she had tried to push my uncle , her husband down the stairs, badly injuring him. He tried so hard to keep her at home, but sadly he also had to place her in a special home
After, what was a very distressing time for us all, she to passed away. I have lately watched a programme on TV about people who inherit this disease, and how the gene affects the brain. My Father is in his 97 year and is as bright as a button memory wise. I do worry at times, if I or one of my brother's or sister will succumb to Alzheimer's. This is why I am an avid supporter of The Alzheimer's Society and do my best to bring awareness to others. Now there is a breakthrough for a cure for people suffering from this disease, and my hope is that one day a complete cure is discovered, and many people who otherwise would have suffered from it will have a long and happy life.

My lovely mum was such a happy bubbly person. However slowly she began to withdraw in herself and. became easily confused. ! My stepdad took her to the doctors who sent her to be assessed at the hospital . After lots of questions my stepdad was handed a leaflet” living with someone with Alzheimer’s “. That was it!!! So we got in touch with the Alzheimer’s society who right from the start were a wonderful support to all of us ! We felt we were not alone. If only the diagnosis had been quicker and more informative life would have been much easier for everyone.

I cared for my parents firstly helping my mum care for my Dad who had vascular dementia then care on my own for my mum
Despite my employer supporting me ot was v v v tough
Government talks alot about solution but has never engaged woth sufferers and or carers

My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. I first noticed something was wrong when I was visited my with my daughter and she repeatedly picked up a scarf and told us that it was a special scarf made for her choir. I duly made an appointment with her GP who referred her to the memory clinic and she was given the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Other than initial blood tests to rule out any other underlying conditions her diagnosis was based on her answers to a questionnaire. Since her diagnosis I have felt completely alone, lockdown was the worst thing ever as far as I am concerned. Isolated other than a food drop I believe that her condition was expedited due to this.
In relation to support for my mum apart from an
annual check in from the memory clinic it has virtually been none existent. Mum’s reluctance to accept or recognise that she needs support hasn’t helped. The biggest barrier I have now is that mum will have to self fund her care, as I do not have power of attorney and she is no longer has capacity to give this trying to arrange help has been very frustrating. She is currently receiving funded care as an assessment process, but after this she will have to self fund her care and nobody seems to be able to advise me how I can arrange this.
Our experience has been poor, but know of someone else in another part of the country have received better support than we have. My hope is everyone who receives a diagnosis of dementia is provided with a support worker who keeps on touch with the family on a regular basis to ensure that they all receive advice and guidance on how to access support services at every stage of the disease.