Real stories Dementia is 'the cruel monster that waited in the shadows' of my grandfather 15 year old Mia Dale based her GCSE creative writing piece on her grandfather, Derek Curley, and the cruelty of dementia. He passed away from Alzheimer's disease recently, aged 88. We are pleased to share Mia's piece here unedited. 15 year old Mia Dale based her GCSE creative writing piece on her grandfather, Derek Curley, and the cruelty of dementia. He passed away from Alzheimer's disease recently, aged 88. We are pleased to share Mia's piece here unedited. ... 09 October 2019
Real stories Testing games and activities that help people with dementia keep an active mind Keith Oliver was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010, and now looks for ways he can keep his mind active. With the help of his grandson, Keith has tested out some games and activities for people living with dementia. Keith Oliver was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010, and now looks for ways he can keep his mind active. With the help of his grandson, Keith has tested out some games and activities for people living with dementia. ... 07 October 2019
Real stories 'The Silent Killer' - a dementia poem for my mum Gwen cared for her mum, who had Alzheimer's disease, until her final years. Following the recent death of someone else with dementia, Gwen had a dream about her mum and wrote this emotive poem when she woke up. Gwen cared for her mum, who had Alzheimer's disease, until her final years. Following the recent death of someone else with dementia, Gwen had a dream about her mum and wrote this emotive poem when she woke up. ... 04 October 2019
Information ‘What’s life like?’ Poetry and art works by people living with dementia A group of people with dementia have created a book of poems giving insight into what everyday life is like for them. Read some of their works, which covers topics including communication, companionship and identity. A group of people with dementia have created a book of poems giving insight into what everyday life is like for them. Read some of their works, which covers topics including communication, companionship and identity. ... 03 October 2019
Real stories 'Nowhere to go' - my mum had dementia and was denied a British passport Veronica Tobias was born in the Caribbean but had lived in the UK for decades. Despite having a diagnosis of vascular dementia and a hurricane destroying the country of her birth, the government still wanted to deport her. Her daughter Jennifer tells an astonishing story. Veronica Tobias was born in the Caribbean but had lived in the UK for decades. Despite having a diagnosis of vascular dementia and a hurricane destroying the country of her birth, the government still wanted to deport her. Her daughter Jennifer tells an astonishing story. ... 01 October 2019
Real stories The challenges of working while caring for a loved one with dementia Since Yvonne’s mum, Joyce, moved in with her, Yvonne has been left juggling care and work. Like so many carers, she has found herself spread thinly far too often. Read what this means for Yvonne and others who have to stop working to care for a loved one with dementia. Since Yvonne’s mum, Joyce, moved in with her, Yvonne has been left juggling care and work. Like so many carers, she has found herself spread thinly far too often. Read what this means for Yvonne and others who have to stop working to care for a loved one with dementia. ... 28 September 2019
Real stories 5 ways dementia stigma must be challenged Some people affected by dementia have felt discriminated against. Here are five people’s first-hand experiences with the stigma of dementia. Some people affected by dementia have felt discriminated against. Here are five people’s first-hand experiences with the stigma of dementia. ... 27 September 2019
Real stories Tony's story: 'We were determined dementia wouldn't drown out the music' In retirement Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer. Since his wife Sheila was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, his focus has turned to raising awareness of dementia. His poem, ‘Farewell Tour’, celebrates the life-enhancing power of music. In retirement Tony has enjoyed success as a poet and writer. Since his wife Sheila was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, his focus has turned to raising awareness of dementia. His poem, ‘Farewell Tour’, celebrates the life-enhancing power of music. ... 26 September 2019
Real stories Complicated relationships with a person you care for with dementia Caring for a person with dementia is difficult, especially if your relationship with the person is complex. Here, Edna shares her own personal feelings about what it's like to be a caregiver for her children's father, who has dementia. Caring for a person with dementia is difficult, especially if your relationship with the person is complex. Here, Edna shares her own personal feelings about what it's like to be a caregiver for her children's father, who has dementia. ... 23 September 2019
Real stories Laury’s story: ‘Mum became utterly lost in the fog of her own mind’ Jacquelyn was 57 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here, her daughter Laury describes the dementia journey in detail – from spotting the early signs, to the final stages – and shares what she’s learned from it. Jacquelyn was 57 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here, her daughter Laury describes the dementia journey in detail – from spotting the early signs, to the final stages – and shares what she’s learned from it. ... 20 September 2019
Real stories Breaking the cultural taboo of dementia among Pakistani communities Khalid is from a British Pakistani family in Leeds that helped to care for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Khalid is raising awareness about the condition and tackling the cultural stigma of dementia. Khalid is from a British Pakistani family in Leeds that helped to care for his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Khalid is raising awareness about the condition and tackling the cultural stigma of dementia. ... 18 September 2019
Real stories Debbie's story: 'Not enough people are aware of early onset dementia, never mind understand it' At 50 years old, Debbie was told that she had mixed dementia. Following her diagnosis, the stigma surrounding dementia has had a significant impact on her life. But Debbie believes people’s attitudes towards people affected by dementia can be changed. At 50 years old, Debbie was told that she had mixed dementia. Following her diagnosis, the stigma surrounding dementia has had a significant impact on her life. But Debbie believes people’s attitudes towards people affected by dementia can be changed. ... 16 September 2019
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