My life with dementia | A Dementia UK podcast

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from Penny’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They discuss what to look for in a care home, o...

A registered nurse for over 40 years, Phil found his dream role in lecturing graduate and undergraduate nurses at a university. In teaching, he had found his calling.

In 2015, Phil began to notice he was forgetting names. Sometimes he would enter a room and forget why he was there. As his symptoms became more pronounced over the following year, an initial diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment was changed to dementia with Lewy b...

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from Phil’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They share guidance on how to tell you...

Over the span of a decade, Chris cared for his parents, who both had dementia.

An only child with very little extended family, Chris assumed the role of primary carer without much discussion. He juggled parenting his own son, working full-time in the emergency services, and his caregiving role. And eventually, he reached breaking point.

In this episode, he talks about the constant battle with a system that was supposed to sup...

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from Chris’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They explore what chronic stress looks like, the role o...

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from Julie’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They share practical advice for living alone with deme...

Julie received her dementia diagnosis at just 54 years old. In the space of a few minutes, the doctor delivered the news, handed her a medication prescription and said goodbye. Julie felt so overcome with shock that she burst into tears.

Julie lives on her own, and doesn’t have family members to care for her. It’s a situation many people with dementia find themselves in. She has found purpose in advocating for this community.

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from George’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They talk about the changing family dynamics after a ...

George's mum Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when she was just 57. George was 22 at the time.

The years since have been characterised by adjustment. He's seen his dad become a full-time carer, and has supported his parents through some huge changes in how and even where they live.

In this episode, George shares his experience of being thrust into the role of a young carer, and the emotional journey that has follo...

This episode features two of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses – Hilda and Vic. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, who provide free advice and support to the whole family, as well as the person with the diagnosis.

In this episode, Hilda and Vic delve deeper into some of the themes from Michaela’s story to give some extra advice and insight from their expert perspectives. They talk through the stigma that can so often stop...

When her grandmother, Vanda, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, Michaela felt her world come crashing down. This was the woman who raised her, a role model she’d always looked up to. Feeling powerless and alone, Michaela yearned for community, and a place where dementia wasn’t taboo. A place where her nan could be herself.

When Michaela couldn’t find it, she created it. The Spring Bleau Dementia Cafe was born.

This is a st...

One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime.

In Dementia UK’s podcast, ‘My life with dementia’, real people share their experiences of living with, caring for, or losing someone to dementia. Through their stories, presented by award-winning journalist and Dementia UK Ambassador Marianne Jones, we gain a deeper understanding of this complex condition, and the challenges faced by those affected.

Subscr...

On Valentine’s Day in 2019, Gail's world changed forever. At 54 years old, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Initially, she felt numb. But in the following weeks and months, there were so many emotions – confusion, sadness and anger.  

With the help of her dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, Gail was able to shift her focus to what she can do, rather than what she can’t. She decided to pursue passions she’d alw...

Ricky and his gran, Harbaksh, always shared a special bond. He describes her as more of a third parent than a grandmother. She lived next door, and relished being able to talk to Ricky in Punjabi.

After several frustrating appointments with health professionals, Harbaksh was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in her 80s. Ricky was thrust into a caring role and set about learning everything he could about her condition.

This episo...

James's late wife Maria was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's disease when she was 56 years old.

As a couple, they found themselves on an unexpected path – moving through the different stages that followed her diagnosis. James tried to strike the balance between maintaining his wife’s independence while ensuring her safety. It was a balance that became increasingly difficult. 

In this episode, he shares his perspective ...

When it comes to father-daughter relationships, Rob and Lizzie’s couldn’t have been stronger. They shared a love for the outdoors, music and sport, and were always finding ways to make each other laugh.   

When Rob began to struggle with driving in his mid-50s, the family knew something was wrong, but the prospect of dementia didn’t cross their minds. A few years later, Rob was diagnosed with young onset frontotem...

When Andy was diagnosed with young onset dementia in his early 50s, it felt like a door was suddenly slammed shut. The life he'd imagined with his partner Christine was going to look very different.

For months after his diagnosis, Andy withdrew from the world. He felt that he had no future. But over time, with the support of Christine and their dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, Andy found a purpose again. Through sporting event...

Siblings Aqib and Shahbanu care for their mum, Shama, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when she was 70 years old.   

The years following have been a steep learning curve. They have had to adopt new ways to interact with their mum. They've realised it's not always helpful to contradict her when she makes mistakes or forgets things. And they're careful not to let her feel shame over those things; or let th...

One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime.  

In Dementia UK’s new podcast, ‘My life with dementia’, real people share their experiences of living with, caring for, or losing someone to dementia. Through their stories, presented by actor Jim Broadbent, we gain a deeper understanding of this complex condition, and the challenges faced by those affected. 

Subscribe to ‘My life with dementia’ to...