"I agonised over Mum's move into full-time care" | Penny's story
Growing up, Penny didn’t have to look far for her hero. It was Rosemary – her mum. Rosemary had a confidence about herself. A warmth and kindness for others. And a smile that lit up a room. She taught Penny to believe in herself, to try things and see things.In 2016, Rosemary was diagnosed with mixed dementia. For the past eight years, Penny has been her mum’s primary carer. And while there have been plenty of heartbreaking moments, the hardest came when Penny had to move Rosemary into a care home. Further resources: Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses Discover ways you can look after yourself as a carer Learn more about considering a care home for someone with dementia Read personal stories from people living with a diagnosis, their family members and friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Two dementia nurses discuss Penny's story
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, offer advice on coping with feelings of guilt, and explain the importance of life story work. If you haven’t heard Penny’s episode yet, we recommend giving it a listen first. Further resources:Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses Learn more about considering a care home for someone with dementia Read about how to cope with feelings of guiltDiscover more about creating a life story for a person with dementia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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“I was pushed into retirement after my diagnosis” | Phil’s story
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 bodies.After initially having the full support of his employer, Phil saw firsthand the lack of understanding once the word ‘dementia’ entered the equation. He has since dedicated himself to ensuring people understand their rights when it comes to the crossover between work and dementia. Further resources: Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses Access information and resources about young onset dementia, where symptoms develop before the age of 65 Learn more about employment and young onset dementia Learn more about supporting employees affected by dementia and their carers Read personal stories from people living with a diagnosis, their family members and friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Two dementia nurses discuss Phil's story
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 your employer about a dementia diagnosis, reasonable adjustments that can be made in the workplace, the benefits of occupational health assessments, and life after retirement. If you haven’t heard Phil’s episode yet, we recommend giving it a listen first. Further resources:Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses Learn more about employment and young onset dementiaRead about the value of meaningful activities for people living with dementia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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"Caring for Mum and Dad drove me to breaking point" | Chris's story
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 support him, and the importance of looking after yourself as a carer. Further resources:Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses Learn more about how dementia can affect relationships and roles Discover ways you can look after yourself as a carer Learn more about financial and legal support Read personal stories from people living with a diagnosis, their family members and friends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About My life with dementia | A Dementia UK podcast
We're a British Podcast Award 2025 finalist!One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime – whether by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Yet too often, the voices of people who are facing the many complex challenges of dementia go unheard.Presented by award-winning journalist, editor, podcaster and Dementia UK Ambassador Marianne Jones, Dementia UK’s podcast, ‘My life with dementia’, takes listeners on a personal journey through the world of dementia, as told by people who have experienced it themselves. People living with the diagnosis. People who have found themselves in a caring role they never expected. And people who are grieving a loved one.Through their stories, and with practical advice from our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, we gain a deeper understanding of the condition from multiple perspectives – as well as invaluable insights, empathy and hope.This series was produced by Arlie Adlington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
UK