Real stories Ready, set, SNOW! It’s almost time for Elf Day again Rachael Slee in Barry, south Wales, remembers last year’s Elf Day at Vale of Glamorgan Council. Rachael Slee in Barry, south Wales, remembers last year’s Elf Day at Vale of Glamorgan Council. ... 30 September 2020
Real stories Meet the researcher: Nathan Davies Meet Nathan Davies, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Centre for Ageing Population Studies at UCL in London. Meet Nathan Davies, Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Centre for Ageing Population Studies at UCL in London. ... 30 September 2020
Real stories Cracks in the system: Dementia, coronavirus and BAME communities Shuhala Abbas, Dementia Support Worker in east London, shares the hardships faced by the families she supports. Shuhala Abbas, Dementia Support Worker in east London, shares the hardships faced by the families she supports. ... 30 September 2020
Real stories Dealing with grief through music after losing my wife to dementia Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. Robert Crowley lost his wife Julie to dementia last year. Dealing with his grief, Robert used his experiences as a carer to create an album of music that he hopes can help others in the same position. ... 29 September 2020
Real stories We Are Undefeatable: Tommy's story Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. Tommy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2011 when he was in his 60s. He reflects on how keeping active helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis and how he's supporting the We Are Undefeatable campaign. ... 22 September 2020
Real stories Working in a care home during coronavirus - Ellie's story Ellie has been working in a care home during the pandemic providing crucial support for residents, many of whom have dementia. Ellie hopes that sharing her experience will reassure people who are unable to visit their loved ones in care while there are visiting restrictions in place. Ellie has been working in a care home during the pandemic providing crucial support for residents, many of whom have dementia. Ellie hopes that sharing her experience will reassure people who are unable to visit their loved ones in care while there are visiting restrictions in place. ... 17 September 2020
Real stories Being a keyworker and carer during coronavirus Tony and his wife Pauline, who has dementia and lives in a nursing home, were kept apart for over three months because of coronavirus. Even as the Government opened care homes to socially distanced visits, these types of visits don’t suit Pauline’s needs, nor do they acknowledge Tony having key worker status to support her care. Tony and his wife Pauline, who has dementia and lives in a nursing home, were kept apart for over three months because of coronavirus. Even as the Government opened care homes to socially distanced visits, these types of visits don’t suit Pauline’s needs, nor do they acknowledge Tony having key worker status to support her care. ... 07 September 2020
Real stories ‘With Alzheimer’s, you are constantly in a state of grieving’: Loretta’s dementia story When Loretta's mum, Dinah, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, Loretta began to grieve for the person she was before her diagnosis. Dinah sadly passed away in 2020, which has led Loretta to reflect on her personal experience as a carer. When Loretta's mum, Dinah, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, Loretta began to grieve for the person she was before her diagnosis. Dinah sadly passed away in 2020, which has led Loretta to reflect on her personal experience as a carer. ... 25 August 2020
Real stories Living with memory loss – Creating a short film with my grandfather’s old footage Following the passing of his grandfather, David found his old film reels and created a short film, which was broadcast by the BBC. David reflects on their relationship before dementia, and how the condition affected his grandfather in his later years. Following the passing of his grandfather, David found his old film reels and created a short film, which was broadcast by the BBC. David reflects on their relationship before dementia, and how the condition affected his grandfather in his later years. ... 18 August 2020
Real stories A dementia poem about my mum and care home restrictions Jane has written a heart-breaking poem about how coronavirus has affected her and her mother, who has dementia. She shares her worries about her mum's quality of life when there were visitor restrictions in place for care homes. Jane has written a heart-breaking poem about how coronavirus has affected her and her mother, who has dementia. She shares her worries about her mum's quality of life when there were visitor restrictions in place for care homes. ... 14 August 2020
Real stories Why I take part in Memory Walk: Jeanette's story After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 56 years old, Malcolm sadly passed away in 2018. His wife Jeanette remains passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society, and explains why she continues to take part in Memory Walk. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 56 years old, Malcolm sadly passed away in 2018. His wife Jeanette remains passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society, and explains why she continues to take part in Memory Walk. ... 13 August 2020
Real stories Put on hold: A man with dementia who’s looking forward to easier times Lockdown paused many of the activities that had been helping Barney Thompson come to terms with his dementia. Lockdown paused many of the activities that had been helping Barney Thompson come to terms with his dementia. ... 31 July 2020