Dementia Support Line
My Nan, Ruth, was the real Queen of our family—a...
My grandma was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in...
Nan had been getting forgetful since her stroke in the early 2000s but 2021 is when everything went downhill. She lost her sight in 2020 which prompted family members...
I knew something was wrong with my lovely husband and...
My wife Denise of 45 years was diagnosed with...
My wife,Christine,died 1 march 2022 after 57 years of marriage.
My great nan was diagnosed with mixed dementia. The...
My mum had early on set dementia about 10yrs before I...
I have a twin sister named Sandra, we are 72 yrs old. She has dementia. Sandra has always had a much stronger character than me so never thought she would get this...
I do not have a Altzimer story but lost my father around fifty two years ago so I know how hard it is to lose someone so if we can help someone either this horrible...
My husband was diagnosed with dementia One year ago,...
Last year I volunteered to sell badges for the appeal because my mom had been diagnosed aged 69.
At first she hid her symptoms. It was covid so we weren't spending...
My Nan, Ruth, was the real Queen of our family—a woman full of life, inseparable from my Grandad, Tony, for over 60+ years.
When the pandemic hit, our world shifted. Nan was diagnosed with dementia via Zoom during lockdown. Then, in June 2023, she was forced to leave her beloved home, for a care home. It broke our families hearts and then sadly, Grandad passed away just four months later.
Watching this cruel disease slowly take every part of her away over the next two and a half years was soul-destroying. Slowly, her current life became distant memories. While she recognized our faces until the very end, her past had faded. Nan’s spirit refused to be completely dimmed.
Christmas 2025, her dementia entered a final, profound stage of sadness for our family. Through that immense pain, Nan still managed to crack jokes, make us laugh, and say "love you" every single time we left her room.
On Valentine’s Day 2026, Nan peacefully passed away. While our families hearts are heavy, we take comfort knowing she is finally reunited with Tony, her husband.
Living through this heartbreak has given me the experience to share our story. I want to use our story to spread awareness, love, and kindness to others facing this journey. Nan was, and still is, my world. Although the memories faded for her, the bond between the Queen and her "Queenie" will live with me forever. She will be loved and remembered for the rest of my life.
When the pandemic hit, our world shifted. Nan was diagnosed with dementia via Zoom during lockdown. Then, in June 2023, she was forced to leave her beloved home, for a care home. It broke our families hearts and then sadly, Grandad passed away just four months later.
Watching this cruel disease slowly take every part of her away over the next two and a half years was soul-destroying. Slowly, her current life became distant memories. While she recognized our faces until the very end, her past had faded. Nan’s spirit refused to be completely dimmed.
Christmas 2025, her dementia entered a final, profound stage of sadness for our family. Through that immense pain, Nan still managed to crack jokes, make us laugh, and say "love you" every single time we left her room.
On Valentine’s Day 2026, Nan peacefully passed away. While our families hearts are heavy, we take comfort knowing she is finally reunited with Tony, her husband.
Living through this heartbreak has given me the experience to share our story. I want to use our story to spread awareness, love, and kindness to others facing this journey. Nan was, and still is, my world. Although the memories faded for her, the bond between the Queen and her "Queenie" will live with me forever. She will be loved and remembered for the rest of my life.
Sian
My grandma was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2021, watching someone you love go through this painful disease without being able to understand it themselves is difficult. There were times where it felt like the dementia was really starting to take over her but I just had to remind myself, she's still my grandma and I still love her, even if she cannot remember the memories we shared or that her personality was changing. My mum and I was with her until the very end (January 2026) holding her hand and telling her it will be ok and I will hold on to that memory forever. As a family, we make a conscious effort to try and give back to Alzheimer's society and other dementia charities.
Rachel
Nan had been getting forgetful since her stroke in the early 2000s but 2021 is when everything went downhill. She lost her sight in 2020 which prompted family members to be more active in helping her with her day to day life, this highlighted other struggles she was having. She had a lifelong love of dogs, her last came into our care and we quickly realised she’d been forgetting to feed him.
She had her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia shortly before being admitted to a care home in 2022.
The speed in which Nan’s forgotten us is frightening. She doesn’t know she has a great grandchild.
She had her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia shortly before being admitted to a care home in 2022.
The speed in which Nan’s forgotten us is frightening. She doesn’t know she has a great grandchild.
Sophie
I knew something was wrong with my lovely husband and at a meeting with his Gp she also realised the same. After numerous tests he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. He was loved by our children and grandchildren and highly thought of by friends and neighbours but after 5 years living with this dreadful disease he passed away during Covid. We were unable to be with him.
Nicolette
My wife Denise of 45 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly 3 years ago. She has no memories of our life together. So far my son and I are coping well but it's great that the Alzheimer's society are there if and when are needed. Thank you.
Alan
My wife,Christine,died 1 march 2022 after 57 years of marriage.
My great nan was diagnosed with mixed dementia. The beginning of it all began with her having a stroke whilst I was talking to her. I was only 15 at the time but I knew things were going to change. I had a lot of (what I know now as) anticipatory grief. She passed away when I was 17 and as a family we had little support throughout our journey with dementia. Fast forward to now, I'm a Specialist Dementia Nurse working with families affected by dementia. My main role is to educate family carers about dementia and how they can best support their loved one. I like to think that I'm helping families like mine, so that they don't feel like they're alone in this journey. I know she would be very proud of how I've turned my grief into something important
Poppy
My mum had early on set dementia about 10yrs before I lost her 2 yrs ago when I really needed her so much I got a brain tumour she was my best friend, I’m recovering ❤️🩹 from ambiguous grief which is grieving when my mum is still alive therapy has helped me immensely I’m strong and will fund for the most cruel disease 🦠 love you mum 💔❤️🩹💔💐
Tracy Allsopp
I have a twin sister named Sandra, we are 72 yrs old. She has dementia. Sandra has always had a much stronger character than me so never thought she would get this awful disease. She now has to have care 24hrs. Thankfully she has such a loving family so she is able to stay at home with all of them looking after her.
Sue
I do not have a Altzimer story but lost my father around fifty two years ago so I know how hard it is to lose someone so if we can help someone either this horrible infliction I would be delighted kept the hood work going please .
Mary
My husband was diagnosed with dementia One year ago, he can do most things but needs help remembering how to do them, unfortunately he is a very independent man who thinks he can do things without me prompting or reminding him how to do things so sometimes I get frustrated, but we work through the situation. I would say to anyone let someone with dementia do as much as they can SAFELY
Jill
Last year I volunteered to sell badges for the appeal because my mom had been diagnosed aged 69.
At first she hid her symptoms. It was covid so we weren't spending as much time together and nobody was going out so it didn't seem strange.
She struggled finding the right words and her handwriting and spelling became worst. She started stockpiling food and she struggled to cook simple meals. Then gradually she began to lose things frequently, put things in odd places, lock herself out and struggle with counting money.
When her driving started to be affected the GP did a test and referred her for a full memory test. The appointment was nearly a year away. In that time I changed jobs to spend more time with her. She couldn't shop on her own so we would take her. She'd eat ready meals. We had to get carers to get her up and dressed each day. She stopped being able to manage toileting. She was diagnosed with mixed dementia.
After a serious fall we decided care was the best option. Id had to take a month off work with stress as I was running two households, caring and trying to work full time. Mom would cry when you mentioned a care home so after being in a community ward for a few weeks I told her she was going somewhere quieter to continue recovering. She has now been there a year.
I see her often but naturally she'd be confused about who people were. One time she asked me not to call her mom so I stopped. I'd introduce myself everytime I saw her. She'd seem to recognise me and she knew we'd go get sweet food and walk around. I'd put her headphones on and blast her fave tunes and she'd manage to sing the odd word.
Two weeks ago she stopped recognising me at all. She backed away when I went to wipe her face. Even having lost all her skills and words I'd still held onto her enthusiasm when she saw me, but now it feels like she has completely slipped away. Her swallowing is getting worst so I know she hasn't much more time with her other health conditions.
It is like watching someone regress to being a toddler. My mom was stubborn and independent but I became her carer, managed her health and finances and I was totally unprepared.
I found the A.S website and social media a great support. Hearing real life stories and getting answers to what to expect. I didnt feel entirely alone.
I miss my mom even though she is still here and ill wear my forget me not for my mom.
At first she hid her symptoms. It was covid so we weren't spending as much time together and nobody was going out so it didn't seem strange.
She struggled finding the right words and her handwriting and spelling became worst. She started stockpiling food and she struggled to cook simple meals. Then gradually she began to lose things frequently, put things in odd places, lock herself out and struggle with counting money.
When her driving started to be affected the GP did a test and referred her for a full memory test. The appointment was nearly a year away. In that time I changed jobs to spend more time with her. She couldn't shop on her own so we would take her. She'd eat ready meals. We had to get carers to get her up and dressed each day. She stopped being able to manage toileting. She was diagnosed with mixed dementia.
After a serious fall we decided care was the best option. Id had to take a month off work with stress as I was running two households, caring and trying to work full time. Mom would cry when you mentioned a care home so after being in a community ward for a few weeks I told her she was going somewhere quieter to continue recovering. She has now been there a year.
I see her often but naturally she'd be confused about who people were. One time she asked me not to call her mom so I stopped. I'd introduce myself everytime I saw her. She'd seem to recognise me and she knew we'd go get sweet food and walk around. I'd put her headphones on and blast her fave tunes and she'd manage to sing the odd word.
Two weeks ago she stopped recognising me at all. She backed away when I went to wipe her face. Even having lost all her skills and words I'd still held onto her enthusiasm when she saw me, but now it feels like she has completely slipped away. Her swallowing is getting worst so I know she hasn't much more time with her other health conditions.
It is like watching someone regress to being a toddler. My mom was stubborn and independent but I became her carer, managed her health and finances and I was totally unprepared.
I found the A.S website and social media a great support. Hearing real life stories and getting answers to what to expect. I didnt feel entirely alone.
I miss my mom even though she is still here and ill wear my forget me not for my mom.
Gwen
Share your story
However you’ve been affected by dementia, this is a place for you to share your Forget Me Not story with other people who get it.