Dementia Support Line
I never imagined I’d be writing this.
When my...
This is my wife Ann that had dementia and passed away in July 2021 it is such a devastating disease at last she can rest in peace !
This donation is in memory of our beautiful mum and grandmother. She had dementia for around 5 years and passed away on April 18th 2026. She lived with her close...
My name is Daniel I am 71. My beautiful wife Jean of 38 years has dementia. She just turned 64. There were suttle signs as far back as 2014 when she was in her...
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 3 years ago, although it became obvious to me that he had suffered with it for at least 2 years earlier. Unfortunately...
I have four friends who have all lost their husbands with Alzheimer’s recently.
My lovely brother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s...
Hello, My beloved husband has vascular and Alzheimer's Dementia. He has lost his ability to speak and he has other medical problems, making him very unhappy.
He was...
I spent many years working with people with dementia...
My mum, Meg, passed away from Alzheimers peacefully...
Every 2 Hours
My mum was an incredible nurse who...
My wonderful wife Maureen had such an amazing memory...
I never imagined I’d be writing this.
When my dad’s dementia started progressing, I truly believed I could care for him at home until the very end. We adapted our home, changed our lives and I gave everything I had because I wanted him with us.
Sadly and very quickly his needs have become greater and, if I’m honest, my own health has worsened too.
After a lot of difficult conversations and encouragement from professionals and those around me, I’ve made the heartbreaking decision to move Dad into residential care on Monday. I’m completely heartbroken 💔
Im not giving up on him . This isn’t because I don’t love him enough. It’s because I love him enough to recognise he now needs more support than I can safely give alone.
I already feel the guilt, sadness and heartbreak… but I’m trying to remind myself that being his daughter doesn’t stop because I’m no longer his full-time carer.
Please be kind — this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life 🤍
When my dad’s dementia started progressing, I truly believed I could care for him at home until the very end. We adapted our home, changed our lives and I gave everything I had because I wanted him with us.
Sadly and very quickly his needs have become greater and, if I’m honest, my own health has worsened too.
After a lot of difficult conversations and encouragement from professionals and those around me, I’ve made the heartbreaking decision to move Dad into residential care on Monday. I’m completely heartbroken 💔
Im not giving up on him . This isn’t because I don’t love him enough. It’s because I love him enough to recognise he now needs more support than I can safely give alone.
I already feel the guilt, sadness and heartbreak… but I’m trying to remind myself that being his daughter doesn’t stop because I’m no longer his full-time carer.
Please be kind — this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life 🤍
NATALIE YATES
This is my wife Ann that had dementia and passed away in July 2021 it is such a devastating disease at last she can rest in peace !
David
This donation is in memory of our beautiful mum and grandmother. She had dementia for around 5 years and passed away on April 18th 2026. She lived with her close family until the day she passed away, we where lucky that the dementia never got to the stage were it was unmanageable. There were highs and lows but a lot more highs and laughs together than anything. If this helps anyone that is why I am writing this when you think it’s hard and as carers you will know.Think of all the good times in the years before and remember that the person you love is the same but not well and it can happen to us all. It is so rewarding to know that your loved ones are cared for at home with family and when the day comes you miss them so much. I can only share my experience but I would do it all over again given the chance and miss my mum so much but so proud she was my mum🙏💙
Daniel
My name is Daniel I am 71. My beautiful wife Jean of 38 years has dementia. She just turned 64. There were suttle signs as far back as 2014 when she was in her early 50's. She retired from work in 2016 and we got a diagnosis in 2021. I retired in 2022 and became her full time caregiver. Now she requires full care from bathroom to feeding. It started with primary progressive aphasia, so she hasn't talked in a while. Watching the person you love deteriorate and become just a body of someone you used to know has been the hardest thing I have had to endure in my life.
It is my honor to care for her, I always treat her as if nothing were wrong and unconditionally help her. I will do this as long as necessary. What has helped me is a journal I started about 5 years ago. I write at least once a week about her and my emotions. I am a positive person, I will get though this. I miss her dearly but I will survive. My family needs me.
It is my honor to care for her, I always treat her as if nothing were wrong and unconditionally help her. I will do this as long as necessary. What has helped me is a journal I started about 5 years ago. I write at least once a week about her and my emotions. I am a positive person, I will get though this. I miss her dearly but I will survive. My family needs me.
Daniel
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 3 years ago, although it became obvious to me that he had suffered with it for at least 2 years earlier. Unfortunately he had 2 strokes and now cannot walk without help and has lost coherent speech. He is on end of life care and doesn't always know who I am, he just thinks I am related to him somehow. We have been married for 65 years and sometimes he is more like my child than my husband but I count myself lucky to have been happy all these years.
lois
I have four friends who have all lost their husbands with Alzheimer’s recently.
Margaret
My lovely brother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s several years ago. With it came Lewy Body dementia. From being an amazing artistic guy who adores his family, he has become a shadow of himself. He has no recent memory now and constantly repeats questions, not remembering the answers we give him. His smile is still there with the odd funny quip. His strong stride is now a wobbly shuffle and he relies on his frame to get him uncertainly from room to room. His dignity has gone and he relies on his long suffering wife and carers to care for him. He remains very much in the family and, luckily, still recognises us. However, he does not remember his brother’s death last December and this makes me, his sister, very sad. We love you Jon❤️
Jose
Hello, My beloved husband has vascular and Alzheimer's Dementia. He has lost his ability to speak and he has other medical problems, making him very unhappy.
He was a very talented engineer, a local Magistrate, and a talented musician with a lovely voice, He was a good squash player, loved Chess and Sudokou. A loving father and stepfather . This disease robs family and friends of this person. With many illnesses there is hope of cure or some respite time with the person, Nothing prepares you for this disease, you never in a million years think it will happen.
It is acknowledge what a toll this is on the carer, until you walk in those shoes you can only guess at the constant changing pressure.
Sometimes it is overwhelming, and you cry. Only to have to shake yourself and start again.
It seems so unfair that not only does this rob you of the person, but if they have been careful enough to save and work so that you have a comfortable but not lavish retirement your money is taken from you to support care, extra fuel bills, and all the necessary additional things your loved one needs.
But you do not stop caring or loving.
He was a very talented engineer, a local Magistrate, and a talented musician with a lovely voice, He was a good squash player, loved Chess and Sudokou. A loving father and stepfather . This disease robs family and friends of this person. With many illnesses there is hope of cure or some respite time with the person, Nothing prepares you for this disease, you never in a million years think it will happen.
It is acknowledge what a toll this is on the carer, until you walk in those shoes you can only guess at the constant changing pressure.
Sometimes it is overwhelming, and you cry. Only to have to shake yourself and start again.
It seems so unfair that not only does this rob you of the person, but if they have been careful enough to save and work so that you have a comfortable but not lavish retirement your money is taken from you to support care, extra fuel bills, and all the necessary additional things your loved one needs.
But you do not stop caring or loving.
Lynn
I spent many years working with people with dementia of all different types caring for them innthe community and seeing the benefits of person centred care and different approaches.
However for 3 years I then cared for my nan and although never officially diagnosed (as i think that would have caused her more pain and stress than benefit) Nans memory certsinly slowly deteriorated. Caring for a loved one is so much harder than caring for a patient and everything feels a lot more personal.
When she got diagnosed as end of life she was living with me. She couldn't remember who I was or where she was. But I always knew her and that was the most important thing. I kept her safe and loved through the long hard days and nights. The hallucinations and all the hurdles.
She kept her personality and spirit right to the very end and inwas so fortunate to have the honour of caring for her.
Nan sadly passed away on 16th March 2025 at the age of 96. What an honour it was to be able to care for her as she did me as a child and have so many wonderful memories.
However for 3 years I then cared for my nan and although never officially diagnosed (as i think that would have caused her more pain and stress than benefit) Nans memory certsinly slowly deteriorated. Caring for a loved one is so much harder than caring for a patient and everything feels a lot more personal.
When she got diagnosed as end of life she was living with me. She couldn't remember who I was or where she was. But I always knew her and that was the most important thing. I kept her safe and loved through the long hard days and nights. The hallucinations and all the hurdles.
She kept her personality and spirit right to the very end and inwas so fortunate to have the honour of caring for her.
Nan sadly passed away on 16th March 2025 at the age of 96. What an honour it was to be able to care for her as she did me as a child and have so many wonderful memories.
Helen
My mum, Meg, passed away from Alzheimers peacefully aged 86 on 10th March 2026 in a nursing home in Cheshire as my dad read to her from her holiday diary from one of many occassions they both visited India together. They had been together nearly 70 years and had recently celebrated their 65th Wedding anniversary at the home.
Mum never liked my tattoos, not until after she was diagnosed did she begin to take an interest and often asked if they were permanent and if I could wash them off. I said I did every night then put them back on next day. Mum said she had one on her shoulder she did the same with ( she hadn't but it was all part of her story so we ran with it ) I requested the artwork from the society so I could have the forget-me-not tattooed on my arm in memory of mum and I had the dates added when she passed away
Mum never liked my tattoos, not until after she was diagnosed did she begin to take an interest and often asked if they were permanent and if I could wash them off. I said I did every night then put them back on next day. Mum said she had one on her shoulder she did the same with ( she hadn't but it was all part of her story so we ran with it ) I requested the artwork from the society so I could have the forget-me-not tattooed on my arm in memory of mum and I had the dates added when she passed away
Matt
Every 2 Hours
My mum was an incredible nurse who spent her life caring for others, and now it’s her who needs that same care in return. Her journey with Alzheimer’s began in the middle of Covid‑19, when everything felt uncertain. Her diagnosis was overwhelming, and although she never said it out loud, I know she was scared.
As a family, we made the decision to care for Mum at home. We’re now in the final stretch of that journey — she is bedbound and needs turning every two hours, which is where the title of this post comes from. Through it all, Mum has remained the same kind, calm soul she has always been.
We’ve had moments of laughter and moments of tears, but we have never regretted the choice we made. Loving her through this has been the hardest and most important thing we’ve ever done.
Love you, Mum.
This disease has taken your memories, but your bravery and gentleness remain.
My mum was an incredible nurse who spent her life caring for others, and now it’s her who needs that same care in return. Her journey with Alzheimer’s began in the middle of Covid‑19, when everything felt uncertain. Her diagnosis was overwhelming, and although she never said it out loud, I know she was scared.
As a family, we made the decision to care for Mum at home. We’re now in the final stretch of that journey — she is bedbound and needs turning every two hours, which is where the title of this post comes from. Through it all, Mum has remained the same kind, calm soul she has always been.
We’ve had moments of laughter and moments of tears, but we have never regretted the choice we made. Loving her through this has been the hardest and most important thing we’ve ever done.
Love you, Mum.
This disease has taken your memories, but your bravery and gentleness remain.
Louise
My wonderful wife Maureen had such an amazing memory and everyone said she was the one person that would never suffer from dementia. First signs were her difficulty in operating the TV controls, soon after it was repetitive movements and memory loss. Whilst trying to accept and accommodate these changes, she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She had a successful operation, but her now frail body could not accept the full chemo cycle. She died a few months later, thankfully before the full effects of dementia could wreak its worst.
Neville Mitchell
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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.