A story about me, my mum and dementia

2017 was a life changing year for me as I lost my mum to both dementia and cancer. Early in 2017 we discovered hat my mother had vascular dementia.

It was a terrible time for my mum and our family and, in June, mum went to live in a residential home. We had talked a lot about what would happen when she got older and going into a home was her greatest fear. It worked out very well for her.

Mum died at the end of October 2017 of cancer.

During the time she was suffering dementia I discovered the huge, often hidden, amount of work done by people who work with the elderly and in particularly with dementia sufferers. I also found that there were hardly any accounts of the journey of loved ones alongside their mum, dad, sister, brother, husband, wife or friend.

If you or a loved one are suffering, talk to an Admiral Nurse, call the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The helpline is open Mon-Fri from 9am to 9pm; Sat-Sun from 9am to 5pm.

The helpline is a free service for carers, people with dementia, and health and social care professionals.

Here is my story, in the hope that you will read it and it will help you. Mum knew that I was writing this story, and agreed to me publishing it and pictures of her. I waited until she was gone out of respect. Please consider a donation to a dementia charity.