Forgetting special occasions
It was my birthday two days ago, writes Christina Neal. My first one since mum died. A few friends asked me if I felt sad celebrating my special day without mum being here to share it with me. It sounded strange to them, but my answer was no. It felt like mum...
Getting a dementia diagnosis
If you suspect that a loved one has a form of dementia, it may take some time to persuade them to visit the GP. Getting a diagnosis can also prove challenging. The first stumbling block is that the person may not think anything is wrong, or they may blame their...
Managing early stages of dementia
My mum was recently diagnosed with a form of dementia. She is in the early stages and I am pleased to say she is living successfully on her own. But initially I was worried about how she would cope. My home is over an hour away from hers and, though I visit weekly and...
Coping when needs change
When you’ve been caring for a loved one for some time, you will hopefully reach a stage where you feel you’ve got the situation under control. You will have learned more about the disease and the impact it has on the person. You may have adjusted your behaviour to...
Moving into a care home
If a loved one has just moved into a care home, you can help the person settle in as swiftly as possible. You may feel sad or guilty, but you definitely have a part to play in helping them.That said, it will take some time for them to adjust and settle in. The more...
Coping with a dementia diagnosis
Keith Oliver was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. He talks about how he has coped and shares his advice for others who have just received a diagnosis… I was 54 years old in 2010 when I was told by a neurologist completely out of the blue that he thought I...Moments to treasure
My wonderful Dad, Richard Watson, passed away recently from complications related to vascular dementia, writes Fiona Flores Watson. He was diagnosed five years ago, and his journey was, like that of most suffering from the disease, at times very painful for those of...
Dementia affects personality
Many of us tend to think that dementia mostly affects short-term memory. It can also affect a person’s mood, personality, behaviour, perception, balance and even spatial awareness. A person with dementia may have to work much harder to perform daily...