Real stories We will keep singing: Singing for the Brain online and over the phone Lorraine King, Singing for the Brain Leader in south-west Wales, shares how we’ve carried on joining in song through lockdown. Lorraine King, Singing for the Brain Leader in south-west Wales, shares how we’ve carried on joining in song through lockdown. ... 31 July 2020
Real stories Mum's loss of expressive and receptive language: Tracy's dementia story Tracy, a speech-language therapist, tells us about her mum's journey through the stages of dementia and the difficulties dementia causes with communication - particularly in expressive and receptive language. Tracy, a speech-language therapist, tells us about her mum's journey through the stages of dementia and the difficulties dementia causes with communication - particularly in expressive and receptive language. ... 28 July 2020
Real stories Another Cup of Tea: A son's diary about caring for his mother with dementia Martin Dewhurst’s book, 'Another Cup of Tea’, is a journal through his experiences of being a full-time carer for his mum with dementia. Martin hopes his journey of highs and lows will help others find their way to cope with the role. Martin Dewhurst’s book, 'Another Cup of Tea’, is a journal through his experiences of being a full-time carer for his mum with dementia. Martin hopes his journey of highs and lows will help others find their way to cope with the role. ... 24 July 2020
Real stories Woodworking to keep the mind active: Liz and Carl's dementia story Liz and her husband, Carl who has vascular dementia, have been in the crafting business since the late 1970s. Since Carl's early retirement at 48 years old, they now spend time together making wooden animals for their friends’ gardens. Liz and her husband, Carl who has vascular dementia, have been in the crafting business since the late 1970s. Since Carl's early retirement at 48 years old, they now spend time together making wooden animals for their friends’ gardens. ... 08 July 2020
Real stories Needing support as a young carer during coronavirus - Susanne's story For Susanne and her husband David, who lives with mixed dementia, coronavirus has brought a stop to their busy routine. This has been hard on them both, and Susanne says the Government must not ignore people affected by dementia if lockdown measures return. For Susanne and her husband David, who lives with mixed dementia, coronavirus has brought a stop to their busy routine. This has been hard on them both, and Susanne says the Government must not ignore people affected by dementia if lockdown measures return. ... 03 July 2020
Real stories Me, my mum and frontotemporal dementia When Jess’s mum, Janice, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Jess struggled to find more information about the disease. Having found support through Alzheimer's Society and others, she hopes her personal story about FTD can help people in her position. When Jess’s mum, Janice, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Jess struggled to find more information about the disease. Having found support through Alzheimer's Society and others, she hopes her personal story about FTD can help people in her position. ... 02 July 2020
Real stories How I moved into my husband's care home to say goodbye during coronavirus - Anne's story As coronavirus spread across the UK in February, Anne Davies was given the option to stay with her husband Allen in the care home where he lived. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to visit him otherwise, Anne moved in to be with Allen in what turned out to be his final weeks. As coronavirus spread across the UK in February, Anne Davies was given the option to stay with her husband Allen in the care home where he lived. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to visit him otherwise, Anne moved in to be with Allen in what turned out to be his final weeks. ... 25 June 2020
Real stories Linda’s story: How coronavirus has strengthened my interest in dementia research Linda Steel, who cared for her mother with dementia for many years, shares why the pandemic has heightened her interest in dementia research and how being a Research Network volunteer has given her hope for the future. Linda Steel, who cared for her mother with dementia for many years, shares why the pandemic has heightened her interest in dementia research and how being a Research Network volunteer has given her hope for the future. ... 23 June 2020
Real stories Kept away from care homes during coronavirus: ‘I am losing some of the “good days” left to us.’ Tony's wife, Sheila, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017 and currently lives in a care home. Following their enforced separation because of coronavirus, Tony shares how the lockdown has affected them, and a new poem. Tony's wife, Sheila, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017 and currently lives in a care home. Following their enforced separation because of coronavirus, Tony shares how the lockdown has affected them, and a new poem. ... 18 June 2020
Real stories Unable to visit my grandad during lockdown - Ruby's story Ruby’s grandad, George, was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago. Ruby writes about her close relationship with her grandparents, how the lockdown has affected them, and about how Ruby copes with her emotions. Ruby’s grandad, George, was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago. Ruby writes about her close relationship with her grandparents, how the lockdown has affected them, and about how Ruby copes with her emotions. ... 17 June 2020
Real stories Caring from a distance during coronavirus thanks to Mum's carer Janet had been caring for her mum, Doris who has dementia, from a distance. As coronavirus hit and Doris’s dementia symptoms advanced, it became apparent that she needed more specialised care. When help arrived, it was a real blessing. Janet had been caring for her mum, Doris who has dementia, from a distance. As coronavirus hit and Doris’s dementia symptoms advanced, it became apparent that she needed more specialised care. When help arrived, it was a real blessing. ... 12 June 2020
Real stories Life during lockdown: ‘Shopping for food has been critically difficult’ Mike and Tom have been shielding from coronavirus since March but have struggled to access food. As restrictions begin to ease, Mike worries about what Government support will remain so they can access food and other essential items. Mike and Tom have been shielding from coronavirus since March but have struggled to access food. As restrictions begin to ease, Mike worries about what Government support will remain so they can access food and other essential items. ... 02 June 2020