Alzheimer's Society Podcast

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.

Having dementia doesn’t mean you need to stop doing the things you enjoy. This track has tips that can make it easier to live with memory loss.