Dementia Support Line
Why I take part in Memory Walk: Jeanette's story
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 56 years old, Malcolm sadly passed away in 2018. His wife Jeanette remains passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society, and explains why she continues to take part in Memory Walk.
At first it was the little things. Malcolm forgot how to tie his tie, and when we went to a hotel spa for a holiday, he began to sink in the pool. He’d forgotten how to swim.
He’d been signed off work for depression and I knew something was wrong for over a year before his diagnosis.
‘There was a lot of back and forth with the doctors because they couldn’t believe someone so young could have the disease, but a little part of me knew.’
It took quite a while to get a brain scan because he was afraid of the machine. We eventually got a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease when he was just 56 years old.
Malcolm before his dementia diagnosis.
Finding support after dementia diagnosis
That same day Malcolm went down to the Alzheimer’s Society office in Stockport to get all the information he could. The team was amazing and provided him with all the information he wanted and helped me get the support I needed too.
‘At every support group we went along to, he was the youngest person there. He was always the baby of every group, so I think people took a shine to him.’
We had a carer who would come and visit our home and help Malcolm while I was out. Then one day I came home and I knew something was wrong. He collapsed in my arms and was rushed into hospital. He was there for three months and needed rehabilitation.
I was told he couldn’t come home – and that he’d never walk again. From there he went into a care home and with the help of some carers, I helped him to walk again.
Malcolm and Jeanette both received support from Alzheimer's Society
Going into a nursing home
He could walk for another year and would even come home once a week for his tea. I’d always cook him corned beef and profiteroles, every week.
Unfortunately, Malcolm developed epilepsy from the Alzheimer’s. The seizures got so bad he was fighting for his life.
He was transferred to a nursing home and he lived there for six years. I visited him every single day, from morning through to evening.
‘He never forgot me – we always had a really strong connection and I was pleased the home respected that.’
They let me do as much as I wanted and left me alone to dress and shower him.
Saying goodbye to Malcolm
On Remembrance Sunday in 2018, Malcolm suddenly deteriorated. He had a Do Not Resuscitate instruction and they called me to ask what I wanted them to do. I thought about it long and hard – he’d fought and battled for so long.
He lived until the Thursday and I was there with him. I whispered ‘You can go, I’ll be alright’ in his ear and he opened his eyes and looked at me. He died in my arms.
After Malcolm passed away, Alzheimer’s Society arranged bereavement counselling for me and employees from the Society came to his funeral. He was loved by so many, but I was really touched that they came.
The Memory Tree - a focal point of every Memory Walk
Why I continue to take part in Memory Walk every year
I’ve taken part in lots of different fundraising campaigns and events for Alzheimer’s Society, including Cupcake Day and the GLOW walks.
But I do the Memory Walk every year. We had a bit of a mishap at the last one as it was pouring with rain and got so muddy they, unfortunately, had to cancel it! We still showed up and even got a medal but it’s quite funny looking back.
‘Malcolm knew we were doing the walks when he was in the care home and he was so proud. When I got back, he would want to wear the medal and kept it afterwards.’
I love doing the Memory Walks because you get the chance to chat with other people and hear about their reasons for walking.
It’s not just a day to raise money, it’s a day to think about the loved one you’re walking for. Afterward, I always get a massive sense of achievement and I look forward to them every year.
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Sandra broomfield
saysmy partner has had dementia /altzeimers for 3 years and is doing really quite well with his medication. we can still talk about the last 30 years. We make his memory loss easier by his description of items he knows but can't say. I then know quite easily the words for the items .Keeping things stress free as much as possible seems to be working well. He can still shop get home safely and remembers numbers but not items He is fine with money Can do shopping and light housework Keeps himself very smart We feel lucky that the medication is really helping . Thankyou to everyone for supporting the society and to everyone trialling different treatments .
Frances Morrison
saysI resolved to walk and raise money for Alzheimer’s.org due to 3 of my immediate family, (grandmother, mother plus a year ago my eldest brother), to Alzheimer's disease. My nearest local area walk In Cassiobury Park, Watford was cancelled due to the pandemic.
My Particular walk has been inspired not only by Covid 19, but in the vein of Sir Captain Tom Moore’s walk of 100 daily steps, one for every year of his age! I decided to set myself, my own further challenge, by doing 100 walks of 10,000 steps daily. This I have started within my local area of the Chiltern Hills throughout lockdown, over 4 months, aiming for10,000 steps daily, ending my final walk on World Alzheimer’s Day!