Real stories | Alzheimer's Society

‘Mom seems afraid that if she doesn’t write things down, she will forget.’

Enomwoyi's mother, who is living with dementia, fills notebook after notebook writing down the details of her day. Here, Enomwoyi weighs up the positives and negatives of Mom's compulsive note-taking.

'Where words fail, music speaks' - working on Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure

Angela O'Neill is a Singing for the Brain group leader who worked with Vicky McClure on the filming of Our Dementia Choir, the two-part documentary on BBC One. In this interview she tells us about what it was like to work with Vicky, and why music has such a powerful effect on people with dementia.

Sandra’s story: ‘In just two months, nearly all of Mum’s savings had been spent on her dementia care’

When Sandra’s mum’s application for NHS Continuing Healthcare was turned down, she had to use her life savings to fund her own care. Read their story, and why we need a Dementia Fund to fix this unfair system.

Dear Alzheimer’s: Letters from a man living with dementia

Keith Oliver’s new book, ‘Dear Alzheimer’s’, is an intimate and empowering memoir of his experiences living with dementia. The book contains a series of letters addressed to dementia, written as his condition progresses each passing year. Read the first two letters here.

'My grandfather's condition drastically worsened, and I was completely unprepared for it'

16 year old Anders was inspired to write a poem during a visit to his grandfather's care home. Poetry helped Anders to deal with the pain he felt as he watched his grandfather struggling to communicate.

Peter's story: 'I believe my ongoing activity helps to mitigate the effects of the disease'

75-year-old Peter Smith is challenging himself to cycle 75 laps of his local velodrome every 75 days to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Here, Peter and his wife, Hilary, reflect on how dementia affects their lives.

5 online activity ideas for people living with dementia

Heather O’Neil is always looking for new craft and activity ideas for her mum, who has mixed dementia. As the condition progresses, she’s been using online tools to keep Mum active and happy.

Vanessa's story: 'There is no pattern, no rhyme or reason to it and no cure'

Following her dad's dementia diagnosis, Vanessa and her husband sold their home and bought somewhere suitable for the whole family. Together, they support each other through the many challenges dementia brings.

‘I think Granny knows exactly where she is; it just isn’t where the grown-ups are’

Juliet Rix’s new illustrated book Travels with my Granny offers a simple way for children to understand dementia. Here, she explains the concept and what she hopes it can achieve.

Emma's story: 'I didn't know the harsh reality of the disease'

Emma cared deeply for her grandfather, Roy, who had dementia. To help support Alzheimer's Society, Emma organises fundraising balls with her family and donates money from the sale of her paintings.

Rosalind's story: 'Despite the dementia, my mum still had spirit.'

72-year old Rosalind has been an Alzheimer's Society volunteer for more than 20 years. This year, Rosalind took the plunge with a forget-me-not tattoo in memory of her late mum.

Each day as it comes: Staying connected

Living in a remote spot, Pam Wood appreciates her continued connections with other people.