Real stories My identity as a Black woman with vascular dementia is fundamental Vesna Okaikoi had a difficult childhood, not knowing who her parents were and growing up in foster care alongside her twin sister, Loraine. Now 65 years old and living with vascular dementia, Vesna reflects on the power of identity and how learning about her heritage has been a source of strength through challenging times. Vesna Okaikoi had a difficult childhood, not knowing who her parents were and growing up in foster care alongside her twin sister, Loraine. Now 65 years old and living with vascular dementia, Vesna reflects on the power of identity and how learning about her heritage has been a source of strength through challenging times. ... 15 October 2020
Real stories Fighting for culturally appropriate care in the pandemic Jag has been caring for her mum for eight years, fighting for culturally appropriate care. The pandemic has made their struggles even worse, denying her mum essential care and having a huge detrimental effect on Jag’s own wellbeing. Jag has been caring for her mum for eight years, fighting for culturally appropriate care. The pandemic has made their struggles even worse, denying her mum essential care and having a huge detrimental effect on Jag’s own wellbeing. ... 12 October 2020
Real stories ‘Making a new language’: How music and culture can widen the conversation on dementia Ronald Amanze has often felt culturally misunderstood when receiving dementia support. Inspired by Black history and the reggae music that shaped his early years, Ronald explains how culture can be a special tool to get people talking about dementia. Ronald Amanze has often felt culturally misunderstood when receiving dementia support. Inspired by Black history and the reggae music that shaped his early years, Ronald explains how culture can be a special tool to get people talking about dementia. ... 08 October 2020
Real stories 'Hands': Melanie's tribute story to her mom Melanie's mom was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Known affectionately as 'Nini' by her grandchildren, Melanie's family have found it very painful to watch her dementia progress. Melanie has shared a beautiful tribute in writing to Nini with us titled 'Hands'. Melanie's mom was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Known affectionately as 'Nini' by her grandchildren, Melanie's family have found it very painful to watch her dementia progress. Melanie has shared a beautiful tribute in writing to Nini with us titled 'Hands'. ... 07 October 2020
Real stories Mistaking dementia for menopause: Marie’s story When primary school teacher Marie had trouble remembering words, she thought her memory loss was due to menopause. She didn’t think that at 51 she would be diagnosed with dementia. Now Marie and her family want to help raise awareness. When primary school teacher Marie had trouble remembering words, she thought her memory loss was due to menopause. She didn’t think that at 51 she would be diagnosed with dementia. Now Marie and her family want to help raise awareness. ... 06 October 2020
Research Improving dementia and Alzheimer's support in Black communities For Black communities in the UK there is a greater risk of dementia, but support is typically accessed later in the journey. Alzheimer's Society is funding researcher Moïse Roche to understand the cultural factors behind these statistics, and how dementia services can meet the needs of Black African and Black Caribbean people. For Black communities in the UK there is a greater risk of dementia, but support is typically accessed later in the journey. Alzheimer's Society is funding researcher Moïse Roche to understand the cultural factors behind these statistics, and how dementia services can meet the needs of Black African and Black Caribbean people. ... 30 September 2020
Real stories Dealing with grief through music after losing my wife to dementia Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. ... 29 September 2020
Research Three of our researchers tackling dementia in Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities We shine a spotlight on three researchers, funded by Alzheimer’s Society, who are furthering our understanding of how different ethnic groups and communities are affected by dementia. We shine a spotlight on three researchers, funded by Alzheimer’s Society, who are furthering our understanding of how different ethnic groups and communities are affected by dementia. ... 25 September 2020
Real stories We Are Undefeatable: Tommy's story Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. ... 22 September 2020
Real stories Working in a care home during coronavirus - Ellie's story Ellie has been working in a care home during the pandemic providing crucial support for residents, many of whom have dementia. Ellie hopes that sharing her experience will reassure people who are unable to visit their loved ones in care while there are visiting restrictions in place. Ellie has been working in a care home during the pandemic providing crucial support for residents, many of whom have dementia. Ellie hopes that sharing her experience will reassure people who are unable to visit their loved ones in care while there are visiting restrictions in place. ... 17 September 2020
News The Roads Not Taken: A film depicting a day in the life of a father with frontotemporal dementia Sally Potter, the director of The Roads Not Taken, shares the inspiration behind her latest film. Sally hopes people affected by dementia will recognise the experiences portrayed, and the film will help to challenge assumptions about the condition. Sally Potter, the director of The Roads Not Taken, shares the inspiration behind her latest film. Sally hopes people affected by dementia will recognise the experiences portrayed, and the film will help to challenge assumptions about the condition. ... 11 September 2020
Real stories Being a keyworker and carer during coronavirus Tony and his wife Pauline, who has dementia and lives in a nursing home, were kept apart for over three months because of coronavirus. Even as the Government opened care homes to socially distanced visits, these types of visits don’t suit Pauline’s needs, nor do they acknowledge Tony having key worker status to support her care. Tony and his wife Pauline, who has dementia and lives in a nursing home, were kept apart for over three months because of coronavirus. Even as the Government opened care homes to socially distanced visits, these types of visits don’t suit Pauline’s needs, nor do they acknowledge Tony having key worker status to support her care. ... 07 September 2020
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