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  • About dementia
    • Back
    • About dementia
    • What is dementia?
      • Back
      • What is dementia?
      • Do I have dementia?
      • Dementia symptoms checklist
      • Dementia diagnosis
    • Types of dementia
      • Back
      • Types of dementia
      • Alzheimer's disease
      • Vascular dementia
      • Alcohol-related brain damage
      • Frontotemporal dementia
      • Young-onset dementia
    • Stages and symptoms
      • Back
      • Stages and symptoms
      • Stages of dementia
      • Later stages of dementia
      • Changes in behaviour
      • Changes in perception
      • Memory loss
    • Cause and prevention
      • Back
      • Cause and prevention
      • Reduce your risk of dementia
      • Treatments and medications
      • Is dementia hereditary?
  • Dementia support
    • Back
    • Dementia support
    • Our dementia services
      • Back
      • Our dementia services
      • Find support near you
      • Dementia support line
      • Join our online community
      • Publications and factsheets
      • Support for professionals
    • Living with dementia
      • Back
      • Living with dementia
      • After a dementia diagnosis
      • Eating and drinking
      • Toilet problems and continence
      • Driving
      • Washing and dressing
    • Support for carers
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      • Support for carers
      • Looking after yourself
      • Supporting a person with dementia
      • Considering care homes
      • Adapting the home
      • End of life care
    • Legal and financial
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      • Legal and financial
      • Paying for dementia care
      • Care assessments
      • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
      • Lasting power of attorney
      • Benefits and exemptions
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      • Make a monthly donation
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      • Campaign with us
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      • Win the Omaze London house
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      • Back
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      • Influencing change
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      • Facts about dementia in the UK
      • Local dementia statistics
      • How your money helps
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      • Back
      • News and media
      • Our dementia blog
      • Dementia together magazine
      • Latest news
      • Video and podcast
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Real stories
Caring for my father-in-law with dementia left us exhausted and overwhelmed
Chris’s father-in-law, Rodger, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. As his condition progresses, Chris and his wife Irene have felt dementia dominating their lives. He hopes that sharing their experiences can create positive change. Chris’s father-in-law, Rodger, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. As his condition progresses, Chris and his wife Irene have felt dementia dominating their lives. He hopes that sharing their experiences can create positive change.
...
08 July 2022
Real stories
My dad’s dementia diagnosis is a shock for our family
In this story, an anonymous writer talks about her dad, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. She shares fond memories of her dad who is 'always dancing' and talks about her struggles dealing with his diagnosis. In this story, an anonymous writer talks about her dad, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. She shares fond memories of her dad who is 'always dancing' and talks about her struggles dealing with his diagnosis.
...
30 June 2022
Real stories
'Nobody should face dementia alone' – why we need to invest in support after a diagnosis
As a Consultant Occupational Therapist in the NHS, Liz knows the problems that people can face accessing dementia support. She explains why the Government must focus on the support after a dementia diagnosis, not just receiving one. As a Consultant Occupational Therapist in the NHS, Liz knows the problems that people can face accessing dementia support. She explains why the Government must focus on the support after a dementia diagnosis, not just receiving one.
...
29 June 2022
Real stories
Brenda and Jo's story: 'What I miss most are the memories'
Jo and Brenda have been a couple for over thirty years, living together in West London. Two years ago, Brenda was diagnosed with dementia but Jo spotted signs well before when Brenda wasn’t her usual self. Here, Jo shares their experiences. Jo and Brenda have been a couple for over thirty years, living together in West London. Two years ago, Brenda was diagnosed with dementia but Jo spotted signs well before when Brenda wasn’t her usual self. Here, Jo shares their experiences.
...
21 June 2022
Real stories
Nanny had memory problems after a mini stroke
Hannah's Nanny, Kathy, was living independently until a series of mini strokes meant she needed extra care. Following a dementia diagnosis, Kathy is now living a happy and healthy life at her care home where her Hannah and her family can regularly stay in touch. Hannah's Nanny, Kathy, was living independently until a series of mini strokes meant she needed extra care. Following a dementia diagnosis, Kathy is now living a happy and healthy life at her care home where her Hannah and her family can regularly stay in touch.
...
10 June 2022
Real stories
My dad inspires my music that fundraises for dementia research
Nigel Starmer-Smith enjoyed an incredible sporting career and, to his son Charlie, has always been a hero. Following many challenges as a family, including the progression of Nigel's dementia, Charlie relied on music to unpack his feelings. Now he is fundraising for Alzheimer's Society with his latest song, Tonight. Nigel Starmer-Smith enjoyed an incredible sporting career and, to his son Charlie, has always been a hero. Following many challenges as a family, including the progression of Nigel's dementia, Charlie relied on music to unpack his feelings. Now he is fundraising for Alzheimer's Society with his latest song, Tonight.
...
06 June 2022
Real stories
Keeping your mind as sharp as possible after a dementia diagnosis
Shirley Williams is doing all she can to keep her mind as sharp as possible and refuses to let dementia spoil her life. Shirley Williams is doing all she can to keep her mind as sharp as possible and refuses to let dementia spoil her life.
...
01 June 2022
Real stories
What it’s like to care for someone in the later stage of dementia
Phyllis wants to help prepare others by sharing her experience of what it’s like to care for someone in the later stage of dementia. Phyllis wants to help prepare others by sharing her experience of what it’s like to care for someone in the later stage of dementia.
...
01 June 2022
Real stories
Making a dementia service more accessible to Deaf BSL users
Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users can face significant barriers to getting a timely dementia diagnosis. A service in Bristol is working with Deaf people to become more accessible. Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users can face significant barriers to getting a timely dementia diagnosis. A service in Bristol is working with Deaf people to become more accessible.
...
01 June 2022
Real stories
Respecting people’s values about food and drink in care homes
A person-centred approach to food and drink provides a better quality of life for care home residents who have dementia. A person-centred approach to food and drink provides a better quality of life for care home residents who have dementia.
...
01 June 2022
Real stories
‘Dancing vs dementia’ – taking steps to live well with mixed dementia
Graham Bond in Kidwelly, aged 74, shares what he’s doing to live as well as possible with mixed dementia. Graham Bond in Kidwelly, aged 74, shares what he’s doing to live as well as possible with mixed dementia.
...
01 June 2022
Real stories
Q&A: Keith Day, who lives with frontotemporal dementia
Keith Day, a 73-year-old in Kent with frontotemporal dementia, answers our questions. Keith Day, a 73-year-old in Kent with frontotemporal dementia, answers our questions.
...
01 June 2022
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Alzheimer's Society is a registered charity in England and Wales (296645) and the Isle of Man (1128). 

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