Dementia and Caring
Amy is a live-in-carer for her Grandmother Helen, who has advanced dementia, and is passionate about challenging stereotypes around caring and raising awareness around dementia care.
@goodhousekeepinguk
@liz.mcaulay
@carolinepiasecki
@beckiff
Amy and Helen featured in a three page spread in 'Good Housekeeping' Link: "Being a dementia carer for Nan brings me so much joy"
@goodhousekeepinguk
@liz.mcaulay
@carolinepiasecki
@beckiff
Excerpt from Good House Keeping:
'Some people with dementia can become aggressive or argumentative, but Nan has become more childlike and light-hearted, so she’s generally in a good mood. Having now lost her concept of the recent past or the future, Nan lives completely in the moment.
If I leave the flat, she often forgets I live with her, so she’s always excited to see me when I get back. I usually bring her a cake or treat on the way home and then I tell her I’ll be staying overnight – she just lights up. It’s so special to be able to give her that good news every day.'
I had the opportunity to join The Lifestyle Prescription, a brilliant podcast by the team at Pharmacy Planet that explores the lived realities behind health and wellbeing. I sat down with Rena Annobil to share my experience of becoming a full-time carer for my Nan – a decision that many warned me against, but has proven to be one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Being a carer is the most demanding - yet most meaningful - role I’ve ever stepped into. In the podcast, I opened up about:
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The emotional toll of watching someone you love go through Dementia
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How I had to re-learn communication and find joy in every moment
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The impact on my career and my relationships
Caring for someone with dementia means facing grief and gratitude
at the same time daily. Dementia affects way more than just memory,
it transforms everyday life for both those living with the condition and
he people who care for them. Yet, the emotional and practical realities
of being a full-time carer are rarely talked about openly.
The Lifestyle Prescription podcast provides space for real, lived experiences - not just clinical overviews - helping to break the silence around conditions like dementia. From the early signs to the daily adjustments, my hope is that this episode brings comfort, insight, and solidarity to others walking a similar path.
🎧 Listen here: Understanding Dementia: Early Signs & Daily Realities from a Carer’s Perspective (Ep 5)
I’m incredibly grateful to the team at Pharmacy Planet for giving me the opportunity to share my story and shine a light on the daily realities of carers and those living with dementia. By opening up this conversation, we can create more understanding, connection and support for families across the UK.
🎧 Watch the full episode here:
'Podcaster Amy Elizabeth is a live-in-carer for her Grandmother Helen who has advanced Alzheimer's. She tells Lizzie Catt why Christmas is a particularly complex time for those looking after someone with cognitive decline....'
'With the disease revealed to be the biggest cause of death in the UK, shocking new research suggests almost two fifths of Britons fear a relative may already be impacted'
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