Dementia Support Line
My partner Wendy and I got together in 2002, she was diagnosed with P.C.A in 2016
at the age of 57 in 2016.
In 2020 Wendy was sectioned and luckily ended up in very...
I support the Alzheimer's society, as for past 9 years my dad is living with it. Like alot of you guys out there,I never to this day thought my tough,strong,ex miner...
I support Alzheimer's as mum had it .it followed a bout of depression following my dad who had a stroke then died . It progressed slowly to start with and then got...
I wear my 'forget-me-not' badge with pride and as a...
My first date with Annette was in the 1960’s the 60’s was good for us and we married in 1970 we have two great Sons and later four Grandchildren life was good...
My husband and i run with others, The Acorn Memory Cafe at a local church in Swinton. We hold this cafe once a month on the first Wednesday. It has been running for...
My husband was diagnosed in 2011,I looked after him at home till December 2014 when he was admitted to hospital having falls & seizures.He was transferred to a lovely...
Remembering my great uncle Peter Brennan sadly lost to the disease & very much missed - wearing my Forget-me-Not badge with pride 😊
We lost my dear Mum who battled Dementia bravely for many years. Mum was the kindest, sweetest person you could ever hope to meet, always had time for everyone and...
Being a full-time professional and a caregiver for a...
My wife, Elizabeth, died from dementia last March....
My parents both lived into their nineties - dad 96 and mum 97 and were both physically and mentally fit - until the last couple of years of their lives. Then they both...
My partner Wendy and I got together in 2002, she was diagnosed with P.C.A in 2016
at the age of 57 in 2016.
In 2020 Wendy was sectioned and luckily ended up in very good nursing home.
She can no longer see, sleeps most of the time and has to be fed.
She was a lovely, happy lady and I truly miss her. This is a horrendous disease
at the age of 57 in 2016.
In 2020 Wendy was sectioned and luckily ended up in very good nursing home.
She can no longer see, sleeps most of the time and has to be fed.
She was a lovely, happy lady and I truly miss her. This is a horrendous disease
Pete
I support the Alzheimer's society, as for past 9 years my dad is living with it. Like alot of you guys out there,I never to this day thought my tough,strong,ex miner of a dad would get this. But it just goes to show-alzheimers doesn't care who you are,if it wants you,then it'll get you. Im fairly lucky,my dad is 77 at xmas,and is still living in his own home and very independent and mindful, but I do see him every day all day. He's my number 1 and want the best possible life for him. I take him out and on holiday every chance I get while his mind is still his own at the moment.
Lisa
I support Alzheimer's as mum had it .it followed a bout of depression following my dad who had a stroke then died . It progressed slowly to start with and then got worse before she died.
Her memory for family members was poor. Mum remembered me as I saw her more often .unfortunately she went into care as my daughter's said that I wouldn't be able to cope.
It was the most difficult decision I have ever made but she was cared for and was safe.
Towards the end she didn't know me either.
It is the most horrible condition I can think of and it was a happy release when she died as it Isn't a life just an existence .
Her memory for family members was poor. Mum remembered me as I saw her more often .unfortunately she went into care as my daughter's said that I wouldn't be able to cope.
It was the most difficult decision I have ever made but she was cared for and was safe.
Towards the end she didn't know me either.
It is the most horrible condition I can think of and it was a happy release when she died as it Isn't a life just an existence .
Carol howell
I wear my 'forget-me-not' badge with pride and as a constant remembrance and companion. For every question as to what it represents I, or the questioner, contribute a £1 to my fundraising for AS which was one of my mainstays for help, information and care that made our journey bearable.
Sylvy was the love of my life and hand in hand we enjoyed our lives together. We were rarely apart and thus shared a wonderfully happy, active and gentle life of walking, sailing, watching rugby and, especially cycling.
As this wicked destroyer of lives - from those that suffer to family and friends - progressed I was blessed by her gentleness and softness that allowed me to look after her 24/7 at home, adapting to her needs as the Alzheimer's progressed until that night when lying close, side by side, she peacefully slipped away.
For me her illness was a nightmare but my grief and missing her is far worse.
Sylvy was the love of my life and hand in hand we enjoyed our lives together. We were rarely apart and thus shared a wonderfully happy, active and gentle life of walking, sailing, watching rugby and, especially cycling.
As this wicked destroyer of lives - from those that suffer to family and friends - progressed I was blessed by her gentleness and softness that allowed me to look after her 24/7 at home, adapting to her needs as the Alzheimer's progressed until that night when lying close, side by side, she peacefully slipped away.
For me her illness was a nightmare but my grief and missing her is far worse.
Martin
My first date with Annette was in the 1960’s the 60’s was good for us and we married in 1970 we have two great Sons and later four Grandchildren life was good work, life and charity work filled our time. Retirement loomed Annette started to get distant at work the thought of retirement was blamed.The purchase of a holiday home gave all a nice break Annette backed of and I fell into cook etc, an appointment at the doctors was offered but refused after family discussions as memory was getting worse a trip to hospital after a host of test it was official dementia had moved in with us it was not easy I was Annette’s sole career good days and bad days life went on until one day Annette had no appetite it got to a point no fluid or food just never hungry, hospital put he on drips but she started to fade I was with her every day until she passed away. Still the love of my life went had 53 years together now in peace.
Barry
My husband and i run with others, The Acorn Memory Cafe at a local church in Swinton. We hold this cafe once a month on the first Wednesday. It has been running for 10years in June so we are having a party to celebrate. We have see people come and go, some passing away and some going into nursing homes.
Anne Rhodes
My husband was diagnosed in 2011,I looked after him at home till December 2014 when he was admitted to hospital having falls & seizures.He was transferred to a lovely nursing home in Cardiff where he lived till 2017 when he passed away. My daughter's & grandchildren were amazing & a source of strength for me.😔I miss him every single day.we all did the Alzheimer's walk quite a few times.
Leone
Remembering my great uncle Peter Brennan sadly lost to the disease & very much missed - wearing my Forget-me-Not badge with pride 😊
Laura
We lost my dear Mum who battled Dementia bravely for many years. Mum was the kindest, sweetest person you could ever hope to meet, always had time for everyone and would give her last penny to help, regardless. Gone but never forgotten Mum, miss you more every day. Thank you for being the best Mum ever, I was blessed.
Sally
Being a full-time professional and a caregiver for a mother with Alzheimer’s means living in two completely different worlds at once. At my desk, I managed projects, answered emails, and maintained a composed, professional exterior. But my phone was always face-up next to my keyboard. Every ring brought a jolt of adrenaline: *Did she wander? Did she forget to turn off the stove? Is she safe?*
The guilt was a constant shadow. When I was at work, I felt like I was failing my mum. When I was tending to her, I worried I was dropping the ball at my job. I became a master of masking exhaustion, drinking cold coffee, and crying silently just to clear my head before walking through either door.
Alzheimer’s slowly stole her memories, but it couldn't steal her essence. In her quiet, lucid moments, a look of recognition would flash in her eyes, making every sleepless night worth it.
I didn't choose this dual life, but love doesn't clock out. Balancing deadlines with her shifting reality taught me a fierce resilience. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but caring for the woman who once gave everything for me was the only job that truly mattered.
The guilt was a constant shadow. When I was at work, I felt like I was failing my mum. When I was tending to her, I worried I was dropping the ball at my job. I became a master of masking exhaustion, drinking cold coffee, and crying silently just to clear my head before walking through either door.
Alzheimer’s slowly stole her memories, but it couldn't steal her essence. In her quiet, lucid moments, a look of recognition would flash in her eyes, making every sleepless night worth it.
I didn't choose this dual life, but love doesn't clock out. Balancing deadlines with her shifting reality taught me a fierce resilience. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but caring for the woman who once gave everything for me was the only job that truly mattered.
Nicola
My wife, Elizabeth, died from dementia last March. She was Australian so we used to go there regularly. Our favourite stopover was Hong Kong and we loved the harbour. I wrote a poem about the harbour at night in her memory:
Hong Kong harbour at night
We got there early
Just the three of is
Up high above the harbour
Watching the sky blaze behind
The tall towers
How I wish you were with us
Slowly the city lights come on
Almost invisible at first
But ever brighter as the
Sun slips away
This has to be my favourite view
How I wish you were with us
I can see the Start Ferries
Zig-zagging across the harbour
As they have done for decades
Timelessly transporting people
In their hundreds and thousands
How I wish you were with us
It’s dark now. The city is
Re-born, bathed in electric light
I could almost close my eyes
And bathe in these lights forever
Oh, how I wish you were with us
If I could stop time, this is where and when
I’d stop it
Sitting watching Hong Kong harbour at night
Watching for all eternity
With you by my side.
Hong Kong harbour at night
We got there early
Just the three of is
Up high above the harbour
Watching the sky blaze behind
The tall towers
How I wish you were with us
Slowly the city lights come on
Almost invisible at first
But ever brighter as the
Sun slips away
This has to be my favourite view
How I wish you were with us
I can see the Start Ferries
Zig-zagging across the harbour
As they have done for decades
Timelessly transporting people
In their hundreds and thousands
How I wish you were with us
It’s dark now. The city is
Re-born, bathed in electric light
I could almost close my eyes
And bathe in these lights forever
Oh, how I wish you were with us
If I could stop time, this is where and when
I’d stop it
Sitting watching Hong Kong harbour at night
Watching for all eternity
With you by my side.
David
My parents both lived into their nineties - dad 96 and mum 97 and were both physically and mentally fit - until the last couple of years of their lives. Then they both started showing increasing signs of dementia. They were the first members of my family to do so and it hit me hard. Fortunately, they both still knew me right to the end, but this does not happen with so many people and I cannot imagine how people cope with that. I therefore support Alzheimer's Society to help others.
Janet
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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.