Hi im Chris and a full timer carer for my Mummy who has vascular dementia and alzheimer's.Its getting really hard now as her memory has really declined in the last 6 months,She still knows who we our etc,It just breaks my heart watching Mummy forget the simple tasks like she's just eaten.I know it's going to get worse and im really struggling.I snapped at Mummy the other day,I went straight into the kitchen and said sorry and was crying,she didn't remember but asked why I was crying,I just said I was in pain.My Mummy is my world and ive given everything up to care for her,Im just finding it hard as im sure other people do.

A Wonderful Afternoon Tea in Memory of Gaynor Jones Raises £1,100 for Alzheimer's Society

On 26th April 2026, family, friends, and members of the local community gathered at The Cwtch, Blaina, for a special Remembrance Afternoon Tea in memory of the much-loved Gaynor Jones. The event celebrated Gaynor's life while raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society, a charity close to many hearts. The family are also grateful to Nicola Horner, Manager of The Cwtch, for supporting the event by providing the venue at a reduced hire cost.

Guests enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea served on beautiful china with delicious homemade cakes, savouries, and sweet treats, generously donated by family, friends, and supporters. The beautifully decorated tables created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, giving everyone the opportunity to share stories, remember Gaynor, and spend time together.

A raffle featuring fantastic prizes donated by local businesses and organisations proved extremely popular and helped raise valuable funds. It was also wonderful to see so many people who knew Gaynor come together, including close family and friends who travelled from Nelson to Blaina, where Gaynor spent her younger years.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, baked, donated prizes, volunteered, and gave so generously, an amazing £1,100 was raised for the Alzheimer's Society. Each guest received a Forget-Me-Not plant, the charity's symbol, as a lasting reminder of a special day.

Alison Hughes, Gaynor's daughter and organiser of the event, would like to thank everyone whose kindness, support, and generosity made the afternoon such a success.

The event was a fitting tribute to Gaynor, celebrating her life while supporting an important cause and creating memories that will be treasured for years to come.

Finally, Alison, together with her family – Wayne, Thomas, Adam, Tasha, Bella, Eva and Sophia – would like to extend one final heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the afternoon and supported the Alzheimer's Society. Your kindness, generosity and support helped make the day a wonderful tribute to Gaynor and a truly memorable occasion for all involved.

I wear my forget me not in memory of my dad, he had vascular dementia. My grandparents also suffered with Alzheimer’s and I have had the privilege to care for many families during my career in care. It was soul destroying watching them slowly disappear. It’s called the long goodbye and that it is. Even after they are gone dementia still impacts the ones left behind it’s given me many sleepless nights, it’s a journey you will never forget. My heart goes out to everyone on this journey. Dementia I will never forgive you for taking the ones I love in the most undignified way, you are cruel.

My dad was diagnosed with alzheimers and has now passed.People dont realise unless they are living it how horrific the disease is.Im so lucky he knew who I was and never forgot me and ill never forget him. Im so greatful for that . For everyone else still fighting everyday the alzheimers society are a great comfort please use them.

Sadly my dad passed away due to SVD severe vascular dementia, this is an evil disease that affects far too many people

A year ago, our lives changed forever when my mum was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
My mum is a mother to four children, and she spent her life caring for others as a nurse. She worked tirelessly, always putting everyone else's needs before her own. She was the person people turned to in their hardest moments, offering kindness, strength, and comfort without ever asking for anything in return.
To me, she has always been so much more than my mum. She is my rock, my best friend, my safe place. She has celebrated my happiest days, carried me through my darkest ones, and loved me unconditionally every single day.
Today, she lives in a care home. Frontotemporal dementia is slowly stealing pieces of the woman we know and love.
I will treasure every moment we have together, and I will carry your love with me for the rest of my life.

We had been married for 50 wonderful years. My wife, Isobel, started to experience memory issues a few years before her Alzheimer’s diagnosis which was only confirmed in September 2024. We lived for several years with the hope that her problems were caused by water on the brain but sadly this was not the case. Having been placed in a Dementia Assessment Unit ( before official confirmation of the condition) she moved to a wonderful Care home. Her final months were like a torture for her. She had a stroke last September just 5 days before her 73rd birthday. She never recovered from this and although very sad it was really a blessing. She was at peace. I will never forget her, the love of my life.

Mum, you were a force to be reckoned with right until the end. Growing up in London as a war baby, you appreciated the simple things in life and the importance of looking after what you had. You looked after yourself, took pride in your appearance and never went out without your lipstick on (you never know who you might meet!) You always had a fun, cheeky and often naughty side which made being in your company infectious. You were kind and thoughtful, going out of your way to make people feel good about themselves, like giving them a nice compliment. Talk about gumption and not settling for second best. Despite all the challenges, you forged a way forward and saved us from what could have been a very different life… You supported me through so many of my own challenges but never judged. I’m so grateful to have had you as my Mum and Dad. Even in your twilight years when dementia had taken hold, you encouraged me to live my life and not worry about you. I’m so sad that the last few years were so challenging for you, living with no mobility and suffering with Alzheimers, compared to the energetic, lively and busy lady you once were. You will be remembered for your quick wit, cheekiness and kindness. Sleep tight, my Mummy. I love you. And my final question is “are you going to behave?” Of course not, why change the habit of a lifetime... 😂

[My dear Mum, Hazel (Haze to her friends), went to sleep on Sunday, 5 July 2026, after bravely battling Alzheimers. Sorely missed, never forgotten]

My dad dies with dementia in 2007 the day before this 55th wedding anniversary. It was after he died that we found out my mum had Alzheimer’s. She deteriorated quite quick and died in August 2009. When she died she did not speak or know any of her 6 children or 13 grandchildren. They came England in the 50’s from Dublin. They both worked hard until they retired and loved spending time with myself and my family.

My incredible Grandad developed dementia after having a stroke in 2021. It was an extremely long fight for diagnosis filled with so many appointments and assessments before we were finally put on the right road of what was happening. It’s been such a rollercoaster filled with so many hard moments but so many special moments I will cherish forever too. My Grandad was a fantastic gardener and huge family man, watching dementia slowly take each part of that from him was absolutely devastating. Grandad declined very quickly and it was a hard journey of being in and out of different facilities and hospitals that was out of our control. We learnt so much whilst caring for grandad with incredible support and guidance from Alzheimer’s Society. As a family we have carried out fundraising through half marathons, cake sales and sky dives to raise awareness and important funding needed to support those living with this disease. We unfortuently lost Grandad this June 2026 and our hearts our broken, but we are remembering the amazing Dad, Brother and Grandad that he was.