Alzheimer's Society Podcast

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Teresa Davies, in north-east Wales. Just over a decade ago, Teresa was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s. This came as a shock and left the usually positive Teresa in a dark place. She says she ‘didn’t know how to cope’ after her diagnosis and wasn’t given the right support. But a chance meeting turned things around and helped Teresa to find a new purpose. She now lives as well as she can with dementia and supports others affected by the condition. You can visit alzheimers.org.uk/publications for our range of publications and factsheets designed to support and inform anyone affected by dementia. For personalised information and advice, call our Dementia support line on 0333 150 3456, or for Welsh speakers call 03300 947 400.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to brothers Adam and Neil Joesbury and their dad Bob, in Birmingham. Bob has vascular dementia and the family works together to support each other. Adam has a learning disability and cares for Bob. This means Neil can continue to go to work and all three can be independent. At first, it was difficult to find the right support for Adam. He knew something was wrong with his dad, but found it difficult to understand. This changed when a dementia adviser from Alzheimer's Society gave him the support he needed. Since then, Adam has been using his voice to try to change things for the better for carers with a learning disability – he doesn’t want anyone to face the same challenges he did. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to retired nurse and youth worker Anne Hoad in Deal, Kent. Anne was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) in 2021. Anne's PCA was missed by her GP at first. They initially prescribed her anti-depressants. After speaking to friends who had experienced depression, Anne's husband Tony realised that her symptoms were quite different. They returned to Anne's GP and were able to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Anne and Tony tell us how life has changed following this diagnosis and how they cope with the daily challenges of living with a rare dementia. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to retired teacher Nellie Suffolk, aged 82, in Bristol. Nellie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around six years ago. This diagnosis came as a shock because Nellie had put her symptoms down to getting older. Nellie was born in Zambia when it was still under British rule and was one of the few girls to complete primary education at the time. She spent her life in education, teaching and studying across the UK and in several African nations. Nellie tells us how she remains as independent and active as she can following her diagnosis. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Rashmi Paun, aged 77, in Brighton. Rashmi, a former physics teacher, initially put his memory problems down to age but was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Rashmi had always had a way with numbers, but his wife Maggie soon had to take on more daily tasks, including the couple's finances. Maggie says it was difficult to navigate life after a diagnosis, with 'no clear roadmap', and she is grateful for support from local groups and charities. Listen to find out more about Rashmi and Maggie's experience. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

Episode 19: Gardening, biodiversity and dementia - Green team special by Alzheimer's Society

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Gill Taylor, aged 70, in County Durham. Gill was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s when she was 58. At the time, she says she 'never even considered' that she could have dementia, because of her age. Contrary to her initial diagnosis, Gill has now been told she may have a rarer type of dementia. She’s undergoing more tests to find out. A lack of local activities for people affected by dementia prompted Gill to start an arts group called Let’s Meet Up and she tells us more about the importance of the group. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

In this episode we hear from Debs Ogden, Dementia Adviser, and Pete Greaves, Legacy Partnerships Officer, as they share their stories of being involved in our Bespoke events - Trek26 and Memory Walk. Debs, who trekked 13 miles for the Society last year, shares what it was about Trek26 that made her want to sign up for a second year! Whilst Pete shares his first experience of volunteering at Memory Walk, the emotion of witnessing the effort people put in to remembering loved ones, and the comradery with fellow volunteers.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Warren Berman, aged 70, in Leeds. He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2019 – the same type of dementia as Bruce Willis. Warren's neighbours were the first to notice his dementia symptoms. He has seen mental health issues from both sides, having experienced them himself and through supporting others. His happy childhood memories have remained with him and he believes staying active is the key to living well with dementia. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

Handling money can be difficult for many, but for people with dementia, financial mistakes can be devastatingly costly. New banking app and debit card Sibstar is designed specifically to help people affected by dementia remain financially independent for longer. Sonam Zamir, Innovation Impact and Communication Specialist, speaks to Sibstar Co-Founder and CEO Jayne Sibley about the inspiration behind this innovative new banking app and how our Accelerator Programme helped bring this product...

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Ananga Moonesinghe, aged 76, in Luton, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019. Ananga sees dementia as 'a different journey' and is a strong advocate for people with a dementia diagnosis. He recently helped to deliver an open letter - signed by 36,000 people - to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ananga and his wife Joanna also tell the story of how they met during his time in the RAF. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Andy Paul in Deeside, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019, aged just 60. Andy, who remains an avid Leeds United fan, has valued setting some important things in place for the future, such as a will and power of attorney, while also being focused on enjoying the present. He’s keen to raise awareness, having had to address stigma over his diagnosis. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Kath Sutherland, who is 82, lives in Wigan and has dementia. Kath tells us about making a new home for herself at Belong Wigan, a care village in Greater Manchester. She also discusses her earlier life in Liverpool and Australia, the impact dementia has had on many relatives, and life since her own diagnosis. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Shirley Williams, who is 80, lives in Brighton, and has Alzheimer’s. Shirley tells us about coming from British Guyana to England in the early 1960s, to work as a nurse. She also discusses her dementia diagnosis, and how she is doing all she can to keep her mind as sharp as possible, while refusing to let dementia spoil her life. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Michael Keenan, who is 62, lives in Omagh in Northern Ireland, and has young-onset Alzheimer’s. We chatted to Michael twice – in mid-2021 and early 2022 – to find out more about his life and the challenges he’s been facing during the pandemic. Despite enduring a difficult time, Michael believes that better days aren’t too far away and can’t wait to get back involved. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people affected by dementia are aware of the services offered by Alzheimer’s Society, especially in what is a difficult time for everyone. To donate, visit alzheimers.org.uk/give or call 0330 333 0804.

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Pete Middleton, who is 67 and lives with his wife Pam near Kettering in the East Midlands. Pete was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in January 2019, which forced him into early retirement. As Pete explains, he bounced back by using his experiences of dementia to support the work of Alzheimer’s Society, even though some of this has been disrupted, like so much else, by the COVID pandemic.

When you’re caring for a person with dementia it can help you to find the right support. This will help you to live well. This track summarises some of the key ways that carers can get support.

Communicating together can become more difficult over time, as the person’s dementia gets worse. This track summarises tips for carers to help them communicate clearly and calmly.

Having dementia doesn’t mean you should feel ill or low. You should see the doctor if you’re feeling unwell. Being ill can make dementia worse. Being active can help you to stay independent and keep in touch with other people.

As we hopefully continue to emerge from the Covid pandemic, many of us will be looking forward to returning to something resembling normal life. But for Michael Andrews that may no longer be possible. Michael is 61 and has a rarer form of dementia called posterior cortical atrophy, also known as PCA. Hear about his ongoing attempts to navigate the challenges of the pandemic and the changes he’s experiencing in himself.