We live with dementia - Andy and Christine's story

When her partner Andy was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 52, Christine struggled to know where to turn. She is supporting our ‘We live dementia’ campaign to raise awareness of how our specialist dementia nurses can help.

[@sueplater4234]

❤ thank you for telling your story, and thank you to all the Admiral Nurses for such a great service in supporting people through the unknown

[@DementiaUK1]

Thank you for your kind words, Sue 💙 - Holly

[@janehill3321]

Dear Christine and Andy, sending love. My husband had Lewy Body dementia and he never stopped recognising me. Thank goodness for the Admiral Nurses and for your honesty about how it is for us, living with dementia. And, for the power of love. We are fortunate in that.

[@DementiaUK1]

Hi Jane, I'm so sorry to hear that your husband had Lewy body dementia, thank you for sharing and for your kind words 💙 - Holly

[@memedwards7059]

I have recently been diagnosed with Dementia as a very energetic person that I have been in the past I am struggling to cope with this. I am lucky to have a very caring husband that is supportive and caring for me, there's good days where you feel yes I can do this or that you then realised I can't do it on my own. I used to be very independent and now I feel lost and frustrated not being able to feel the freedom I had or to deal with everyday living. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and video on the difficulty of Dementia. Today has been a mixture of feeling and behaviour tomorrow is another day. God bless.

[@fleurtaylor7311]

❤

[@elaineobrien8801]

My husband was diagnosed during Covid, but he was suffering a couple of years before that. He is now 65 years old. The symptoms he has seem to rapidly becoming worse. He is at a stage where he is very angry and doesn't trust us as far as money is concerned. He was never like that. He would have given myself , daughters and grand children anything. There are times when I feel I don't want to be near him and yet there are times when he gets so upset and apologises for not being able to remember anything. This just kills me inside and I feel ashamed of myself for feeling such nasty thoughts about him. He loves to dance and sing. Even though it's the same song over and over. We love him very much. No matter how hard it's going to be for him and us, and he knows that.

[@DementiaUK1]

Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. We're here for you if you need any advice or support. You can speak to a specialist dementia nurse on our Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing [e-mail]. - Laura

[@DementiaUK1]

I'm sorry to hear about your husband, this sounds like a tough time for your family. Thank you for sharing your experience. We know music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connect with other people. If you ever need any advice or support, or to talk to someone who understands what you are going through, please do give our Helpline a call on 0800 888 6678. We're here for you. - Laura

[@wendybyrne1926]

Im deeply touched by this video, the love you have for each other gives me so much hope. Thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@DementiaUK1]

Thank you for your kind words Wendy, I'm really glad to hear this! - Laura

[@annettereid1615]

😢 so touching 😢 thank you for sharing

[@janetedwards9207]

Very moving! I can relate to Andy and Christine's story. Thank you for sharing you are not alone♥

[@susemcdonald9004]

Hi Margaret and Andy i work with Dementia patients and your right its heartbreaking bit i do think that when it gets worse deep down there will be something about you that he remembers you might only see a glimpse of it but you will see it, music is a great way to connect when it gets tougher i have patients that cant speak but a song will come on from there younger days and i can see the shine come knto there eyes that they remember, dont give up hope either of you, stay strong, ❤️ Susan

[@howardbarnes3714]

Thankyou for that kind encouragement, appreciated. Margaret x

[@DementiaUK1]

Thank you for sharing your advice and kind words. - Laura

[@jaybee6800]

Wow this could be me and my husband who ive been trying to get diagnosed for the past 3 years. He is at a stage now where he is forgetting where he lives or that i am his wife. Hes only 62 and fit as a fiddle as he has trained and competed in competitions all of his life. They call it the long goodbye for a good reason. This has resonated so much with me. I wish then both well on their journey.

[@DementiaUK1]

I'm sorry to hear about your husband Jane. We have some information on young onset dementia on our website that you might find a useful read: www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/young-onset-dementia/. I'd also recommend reaching out to our Helpline on 0800 888 6678 to speak to a specialist dementia nurse for any advice or support you may need. - Laura

[@jaybee6800]

@@DementiaUK1 hi Laura, I'm here because I'm already a member with you and have found the forums etc to be so helpful. Also had great support from the Admiral nurses so am very grateful. Unfortunately cannot say the same for my GP. It's a constant uphill battle to get anywhere with them. I'm just focusing on learning how to make the world a better place for my husband as let's be honest, there isn't much that can be done regardless of what type he has. Thank you for the amazing support I received via your website and members forum. At times, it's the only thing stopping me from falling apart.

[@nickythorp829]

I didn't know about Admiral nurses when I was looking after my mum and dad both with dementia and physical disabilities, alone. I wish I had. Still struggling with our story

[@fleurtaylor7311]

❤

[@DementiaUK1]

I'm sorry to hear this Nicky. We're working hard to raise awareness of our Admiral Nurses and the support they can provide as we believe no family should have to face dementia alone. - Laura

[@nickythorp829]

Dear Margaret, I feel for you, it's so difficult. Please continue to try with Admiral Nurses. I found them later and have spoken with them. They are there to help. You are strong even if you don’t feel it. I had no one to help me looking after my parents. I was on auto pilot for 6 years.

[@markgilson5207]

You are lovely couple am struggling with mother-in-law as her carer and experienced in care more difficult with someone you love watching your husband her son not accepting 😢

[@howardbarnes3714]

Thankyou, I will do so. Your encouragement an incentive. Margaret x

[@DementiaUK1]

I'm sorry to hear this Mark. Please do reach out to our Helpline on 0800 888 6678 if you need any advice or support from our Admiral Nurses. - Laura

[@tigermacan3474]

Thank you for sharing your story❤

[@howardbarnes3714]

Thankyou for this. I am logged in via my husband's google account....he has Alzheimer's. He never did bother to use the Android device I set up for him years ago now and got him tuition. So I use it all instead. He was 80 last Saturday. Diagnosed May 2023, but I hv been concerned since before 2017. I connect with all you say. My feelings, concerns, fears, worries are the same. Scared, how will I cope in times ahead, I am 80 myself 'ere long. No family. No support. I get exhausted constantly repeating stuff. I don't handle it well. Lose it often in tired frustration. I tried calling Admiral nurses a few times. Always engaged. Will try again. I do need to talk to someone so thanx for that information encourages me to try again. I wish all the best possible for you both in your situation..and for us too. Margaret

[@DementiaUK1]

Hi Margaret, I'm so sorry to hear that your husband has Alzheimer's disease. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, I'm glad to hear that Admiral Nurses have helped you in the past. Please don't hesitate to reach out to a nurse again whenever you need advice or support. - Holly

[@howardbarnes3714]

Actually, if you re read my msg above you will see that I hv never yet managed to speak to an Admiral nurse, the line was always engaged. I will try again sometime. Dementia UK line was helpful instead. Margaret B

[@AdrianSterlingPope]

@@howardbarnes3714 @DementiaUK1 Hi Margaret. I hope you manage to contact your local Admiral Nurse - ours was genuinely life-changing for us. Perhaps Holly could help you contact them? Also, AGE UK, the Alzheimer's Society and Carers UK all offer a wide variety of support services for people with dementia and their families/carers. Most of their services are free & they have a lot of local branches where you can meet people face to face as well. I hope you find the support you both need. Kind regards, Andy

[@DementiaUK1]

Hi @@howardbarnes3714, our Dementia UK Helpline is staffed by Admiral Nurses so hopefully you have managed to speak to a nurse through our Helpline. Our lines can get busy at times, so if you can't get through straight away, please leave your name and number, and a nurse will call you back within 48 hours. - Laura

[@howardbarnes3714]

One lives and learns! I didn't know that. I phoned the tel no. for Admiral nurses taken from an online google search. Now I know Admiral nurses staff the Dementia UK helpline. So good to know. Thankyou SO much for information. Margaret 😊