Five years ago, I lost my mum — my best friend — to this terrible illness, and the pain hasn't eased with time. I still find myself questioning so much of what I did back then, wondering if I could have done more, or done it differently.
At the time, I had no idea how much help was available. I went through it doing everything I could to support my mum, my dad and the rest of our family — determined that she would live the life she wanted, right up to her last breath.
That's why the work of this society means so much to me. I hope it continues to be there for other families going through what we went through, so that no one has to face it feeling as alone or unprepared as I did.

My Poohbear (Nan) got diagnosed with dementia 8 years ago, it was slow to begin with but as the years progressed so did the disease. She was the family matriarch, full of sarcastic sas and wit, even in her final days. She was strong and stubborn and is one of the reasons I am who I am. This disease took my Poohbear from me and I hope one day for a cure so other families don’t have to witness their persons downfall.

Valerie: The Heart of Our Family

My beautiful Aunty Valerie was my mum’s sister, and one of the kindest, most loving women anyone could ever hope to know. She was the heart of our family strong, energetic, charismatic, and always bringing people together.

Valerie worked as a legal secretary in London and was immensely proud of her work and her family. She was the eldest of four siblings, Valerie, Carol, Jimboy and Robert and throughout her life she remained a guiding force to us all. Family was everything to her.

Before holidays abroad became common, our family gatherings were centred around treasured trips to the Isle of Sheppey. Those holidays are some of my happiest memories: long days together, laughter filling every room, children running around while the adults talked and reminisced. Valerie loved those moments. She loved having everyone close.

Her daughter Jacky and grandchildren, Aimee, Chloe and George, absolutely adored her, and the feeling was completely mutual. Valerie also had a son, Bobby, whose children, Natasha and Shaun, brought her enormous pride and happiness. She treasured every one of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them all.

Saturdays became a special family tradition, with everyone gathering together whenever possible. My mum Carol and I would join them when we could, and those afternoons were always filled with warmth, laughter and love. Valerie had a way of making everyone feel welcome and important.

She was also incredibly generous. One of the greatest acts of kindness I’ll always carry with me is that Valerie bought my wedding dress. It was such a loving thing to do and perfectly reflected the kind of person she was thoughtful, selfless and always wanting to make others happy.

When Valerie first started forgetting little things, none of us thought too much of it. She had always lived such a busy and full life that we simply put it down to stress or tiredness. But over time, the forgetfulness became more noticeable. Small lapses slowly turned into moments that worried us all, and deep down we realised something wasn’t right.

Watching someone so vibrant begin to change was incredibly difficult for our family. Alzheimer’s slowly started to take pieces of the woman we knew so well. Yet even as her memory faded, the love she had built around her never disappeared. Her children, grandchildren and wider family remained by her side, holding onto the moments of joy, humour and affection that had always defined her.

Valerie’s memory continues to inspire our family today. My daughter Harriet ran a half marathon in memory of her beloved Auntie Valerie a tribute filled with love, determination and pride, reflecting just how deeply Valerie touched the lives of those around her.

To us, Valerie will never simply be remembered for her illness. She will be remembered for her laughter, her strength, her generosity and the enormous love she gave so freely. She was the centre of so many cherished memories and the glue that held our family together.

Alzheimer’s may have changed many things, but it could never take away the impact Valerie had on all of our lives. She will always be deeply loved, proudly remembered, and forever at the heart of our family.
She was Simply The Best!

I’m from a family of 9
My 3 eldest siblings Frank 87 Sylvia 85 keith 82 all have had heart operation , brothers both had new aortas . Sister had triple heart bypasses ,
Since these late in life they have all developed Dementia . Whether it’s related or not ?
My sister-in-law said after Keith’s new aorta in his 60s he was never the same,
All 3 go about their days very slowly and as Keith said
“I don’t do anything anymore! I just sit here”
It’s hard being the now youngest sibling as I’ve lost them ! Yet they are still here 😔 Brothers both have 8 yr younger wifes whom look after them ,
Sadly my widowed sister is in care ,
It’s a cruel disease as my sister is not sure who I am ! She keeps saying I cant remember things , my brothers although sleepy seem to know me ,
Life for them is placid and quieter and no interest in anything but just to sit and look around sleepily ,
I’m proud of my sister in laws that care for mh brothers , it’s not easy for them and very soul destroying,
All carers of dementia are angels as it’s such a destructive disease .

My amazing, beautiful, worldly, compassionate and creative mother, Christina, I continue to learn from you, my best friend forever. As you always told me, it will pass.

So mine is about my nan the most caring loving lady I've ever known
She started with dementia in later 2021 and started to forget us late 2022
It has been a very tough few years seeing her forget her self and all her loved ones
dementia is a terrible disease but it courses so much more issues and upset for the family than it ever does for person dealing with it
Only advise I can give to anyone going through this is stay strong as family and live in their bubble don't stress them out when they can't remember you because it causes them more upset
Just make them comfortable take their favourite things in and show them love

I wear my badge for my mom with late stage Mixed Alzheimers and Vascular dementia-also in memory of my mother-in-law Joan who passed Aug 2023 from Dementia, for his nan who passed from it in 1980's and my own nan , moms mom passed from dementia in 1996. I care for mom as a unpaid family care giver daughter -
7 days a week ,my day starts 6am giving meds ,
1 st cup of tea, TV on, making her feel warm and safe #FORACURE #MAKEDEMENTIAAPRIORITY #CHC.
We have to have" HOPE" that by the end of this year the "CASEY COMMISSION " comes through for all our dementia loved ones and family care givers up and down the UK.🙏💙💠

Anne my wife died recently. She suffered with Dementia for ten years. For the first 8 years I was her carer. Anne did an awful lot for the community, a church bell ringer for over 50 years, Brownie guider for 15 years, secretary to our charity museum for 19 years.

Supporting Peter – A Valued Member of Edenmore Nursing Home’s Community

Before settling in Ilfracombe, Peter lived a full and adventurous life. After a short stint in the army, he trained as a civil engineer, a career that took him across the world. He worked in Nigeria, where his daughters Sarah and Louise spent their childhood, and also in Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Mongolia and Kathmandu!

Throughout those years, Peter was known as a fun, generous father and very much the life and soul of the party. His late wife Ann, who he called Annapeg, was one of five children. Her large family meant lively and loud get-togethers, filled with conversation and Peter’s unmistakable, booming laughter. Later in life, Peter and Ann chose to settle in North Devon, close to her birthplace of Braunton and the coast they both loved.

Around eight years ago, Peter was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. While he continued to live with support for some time, the grief of losing Ann in January 2023, who had been his primary carer, had a deep effect on him. Following a short stay in supported living, it became clear that full-time support would be a better fit for Peter.

Since moving to Edenmore, he has become a valued part of the home’s community. For a time, he took immense pride in his role as an honorary member of the maintenance team! When a position was advertised, Peter was keen to be interviewed and gave a fantastic interview. He regularly helped with small but meaningful tasks, such as sorting paperwork, supporting basic maintenance jobs and taking part in painting projects, including helping to paint a wall in Lundy House, one of the home’s households.

Being in Devon has remained grounding for Peter, offering familiar surroundings and a strong sense of place and belonging. The team have found that visits to the seaside offer a calming effect for Peter. Whether walking along the promenade, sitting quietly by the water or watching the waves roll in, time by the sea brings him a sense of contentment and focus.

To read the full story, please visit: https://www.edenmorenursinghome.com/supporting-peter-a-valued-member-of-ilfracombe-nursing-home-community/

My Forget me not badge I’ve bought last few years in memory of my Dad, he had Vascular Dementia for over ten years before we lost him. As a family we cared for him at home and with help and advice from the society and other medical staff we may not of had him as long, But we made some great memories and also things we never heard of all our lives. He will be forever missed but never forgotten thought and talked about everyday xx