My Nan was fiercely independent. She told us what made her proud was that she could still walk to her favourite park, get upstairs, clean her house and enjoy a cup of tea. Sadly she developed Vascular Dementia which took most of that away from her. My Mum and Dad became her full time carers, and were truly remarkable in coping. 

Several attempts were made for temporary respite care for my Nan, and to give her my parents a break, but all failed. It was particularly heart breaking when Nan could not remember who her family were, though an inner resolve remained to enjoy a nice cup of tea,  even through a straw. It was soul destroying when she eventually stopped enjoying her favourite tea, and sadly she then faded away.

With my Dad since passing away, and Covid 19, I have had to watch over my mum and her mental health. Having learned dementia takes away memories, like taking books from a bookcase and not returning them, I want to give Mum as many memories to savour as possible. So I have been taking her on day trips of the Cotswolds, to places she has not been, that I visited on my walk of the National Trail, The Cotswold Way. Alongside my marathon challenge preparations, she will attempt to walk a mile at each place that we visit. 

More about my Nan, the memories I am giving my mum, and the impacts of Dementia can be found on my dedicated Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/formy.nan

Please support me to raise funds to improve outcomes and find a cure for Dementia. 

Alzheimer’s Society is transforming the landscape of dementia forever. Until the day we find a cure, we will create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.