Sadly I must update my page with the news that our dear Dad passed peacefully on 14th June 2021. After losing his wife in July last year, the increasing  confusion of Alzheimer’s, failing health and grief of bereavement was compounded by Covid-19 visiting restrictions in his care home.

For many months Dad was only allowed one nominated visitor, and this was my twin Margaret because she lives nearer. So from 4th September 2020 to 20th April 2021 I was unable to visit him. On Dad’s 95th birthday in October, only Margaret could visit him for one hour. At Christmas nobody was able to visit him. 

From March this year Margaret was able to visit Dad again, but I had to wait another month until 2 nominated visitors were allowed. Progress at last, but visits were still limited by the care home to just once every 2 weeks. 

In May we were finally allowed to take Dad out. We took him to All Saints Church for the burial of Mum’s ashes on 6th May. It was very emotional and very important for Dad to be there with us. 

By the end of May as Dad’s health was failing,  the care home were kindly letting us visit once a week. But within a couple of weeks he was taken into hospital where he continued to deteriorate. 

We are thankful that he lived a long and happy life, but in the end he did not have the physical or mental strength to carry on. It breaks our hearts that his last year was so hard and we were unable to comfort him.

Our Dad moved into his care home in February 2020 just before the first lockdown. It's hard enough adjusting to life in a care home without having Alzheimers, but with your wife of nearly 69 years no longer able to look after you because she has terminal cancer, and a pandemic on the horizon, it has been incredibly hard for our Dad. 

So that's why I'm taking on Step Up for Dementia. This challenge has helped me and Margaret to cope since we started it on 1st May, and it will continue to be a comfort to us as we walk together to remember Dad. Our challenge officially ends on 31st July, the first anniversary of our Mum’s passing. 

Please donate to support me and my sister and ensure Alzheimer's Society can be there for the people who need them most.