A young girl sat in an armchair talking to a woman in an armchair
Since day dot of finding out mum had dementia In lock...
A woman sat on a wall with a beach in the background
My lovely wife Jo Restorick was diagnosed with mixed...
In 2019, at the age of 88, my mother (Audrey) had a stroke, she initially recovered from the stroke very quickly and appeared to have suffered no ill effects....
A man sat in a chair with two small dogs
My lovely hubby, Ray, was sadly diagnosed with mixed...
A man sat with a woman with his arm around her shoulders
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...
A young girl sat in an armchair talking to a woman in an armchair
Since day dot of finding out mum had dementia In lock down our worlds slowed down, daily talks and looking through photos singing songs to help with her memory.6yrs later and we have been through everything together, mum forgetting the most important people around her, special moments through her life and that she even has grandchildren or children..Takkinb about old memories that we had never heard and about people through her amazing life.We have laughed cried and cried some more.Her personality has completely changed and she has been someone completely dependent on others.Once stood doing pleas and dancing around a room now to being only able to sit and be assisted with everything.This has been the hardest thing both of us have ever been through but when I get those small moments and they are fewer and fewer.When she suddenly doesn’t have glazed eyes and holds my hand I know she’s still there.I willl forever be in awe of you mum and I hope this journey makes ends in a beautiful place where you can be free x

Hanna botten

A woman sat on a wall with a beach in the background
My lovely wife Jo Restorick was diagnosed with mixed dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2012 and passed away in 2020. Ex Cabin Crew British Airways and ships’ crew Cunard, she was sparkling. I cared for her for those 8 years and miss her every day. Dementia hollowed her out, but she was sweet to the end. The love of my life. Love you Jo xxxx

Richard

In 2019, at the age of 88, my mother (Audrey) had a stroke, she initially recovered from the stroke very quickly and appeared to have suffered no ill effects. Unfortunately later in the year it became clear the my mother’s memory was not what it once was. Her memory and physical health deteriorated and oh June 2020 she moved into a care home. She is now 94, with advanced dementia, unable to leave her bed and totally dependent on the care she receives. My brother and I visit a few times every week. Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to see such a once strong independent woman confined to a bed, her body and mind failing her. We support our mum as she once supported us, we tell her that we love her and try to remember all the good times we spent together as a family.

Ian

A man sat in a chair with two small dogs
My lovely hubby, Ray, was sadly diagnosed with mixed dementia (Alzheimer's and Vascular) in 2019. In the years since diagnosis, we have progressed to the late-dementia stage we are at now. There aren't few enough words, in this text box, to capture all that means, day to day, or what our (much reduced) lives look like now. Suffice to say, despite challenging circumstances, we cope as best we can and we still make each other smile. Ray, a former marine, is the bravest person I know. He has never complained, or taken a 'poor me' approach, even in those earlier (less foggy) days, or since and even though he would be entirely justified in doing so. He has largely retained his jokey, upbeat self. Ray is and always will be, the love of my life, my hero; Alzheimer's has not changed that, nor will it.

Julie

A man sat with a woman with his arm around her shoulders
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 🤍

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.

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.

Lynn

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