Alzheimer's Society Podcast

'Turning things around' –Dementia together podcast January 2024

February 07, 2024 13:00 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to brothers Adam and Neil Joesbury and their dad Bob, in Birmingham. Bob has vascular dementia and the family works together to support each other. Adam has a learning disability and cares for Bob. This means Neil can continue to go to work and all three can be independent. At first, it was difficult to find the right support for Adam. He knew something was wrong with his dad, but found it difficult to understand. This changed when a deme...

'Making your own way' – Dementia together podcast November 2023

December 08, 2023 10:27 - 17 minutes - 24.3 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to retired nurse and youth worker Anne Hoad in Deal, Kent. Anne was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) in 2021. Anne's PCA was missed by her GP at first. They initially prescribed her anti-depressants. After speaking to friends who had experienced depression, Anne's husband Tony realised that her symptoms were quite different. They returned to Anne's GP and were able to get an accurate diagnosis a...

'Active and independent' – Dementia together podcast September 2023

October 17, 2023 08:42 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to retired teacher Nellie Suffolk, aged 82, in Bristol. Nellie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around six years ago. This diagnosis came as a shock because Nellie had put her symptoms down to getting older. Nellie was born in Zambia when it was still under British rule and was one of the few girls to complete primary education at the time. She spent her life in education, teaching and studying across the UK and in several African nat...

'No roadmap' – Dementia together podcast July 2023

August 14, 2023 11:37 - 20 minutes - 18.3 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Rashmi Paun, aged 77, in Brighton. Rashmi, a former physics teacher, initially put his memory problems down to age but was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Rashmi had always had a way with numbers, but his wife Maggie soon had to take on more daily tasks, including the couple's finances. Maggie says it was difficult to navigate life after a diagnosis, with 'no clear roadmap', and she is grateful for support from local groups and charit...

Episode 19: Gardening, biodiversity and dementia - Green team special

July 24, 2023 10:39 - 19 minutes - 9.04 MB

Episode 19: Gardening, biodiversity and dementia - Green team special by Alzheimer's Society

'Finding home' - Dementia together podcast May 2023

June 23, 2023 14:30 - 28 minutes - 38.8 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Gill Taylor, aged 70, in County Durham. Gill was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s when she was 58. At the time, she says she 'never even considered' that she could have dementia, because of her age. Contrary to her initial diagnosis, Gill has now been told she may have a rarer type of dementia. She’s undergoing more tests to find out. A lack of local activities for people affected by dementia prompted Gill to start an arts group cal...

Episode 17: Bespoke events help us ‘reconnect with why we do what we do’

June 01, 2023 15:02 - 17 minutes - 8.65 MB

In this episode we hear from Debs Ogden, Dementia Adviser, and Pete Greaves, Legacy Partnerships Officer, as they share their stories of being involved in our Bespoke events - Trek26 and Memory Walk. Debs, who trekked 13 miles for the Society last year, shares what it was about Trek26 that made her want to sign up for a second year! Whilst Pete shares his first experience of volunteering at Memory Walk, the emotion of witnessing the effort people put in to remembering loved ones, and the comr...

'Active and well' - Dementia together podcast April 2023

April 28, 2023 15:29 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Warren Berman, aged 70, in Leeds. He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2019 – the same type of dementia as Bruce Willis. Warren's neighbours were the first to notice his dementia symptoms. He has seen mental health issues from both sides, having experienced them himself and through supporting others. His happy childhood memories have remained with him and he believes staying active is the key to living well with dementia. Yo...

Sibstar: spending support for people with dementia

March 28, 2023 13:50 - 17 minutes - 9.11 MB

Handling money can be difficult for many, but for people with dementia, financial mistakes can be devastatingly costly. New banking app and debit card Sibstar is designed specifically to help people affected by dementia remain financially independent for longer. Sonam Zamir, Innovation Impact and Communication Specialist, speaks to Sibstar Co-Founder and CEO Jayne Sibley about the inspiration behind this innovative new banking app and how our Accelerator Programme helped bring this product t...

'A different journey' - Dementia together podcast March 2023

March 15, 2023 11:27 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MB

For our latest Dementia together podcast we spoke to Ananga Moonesinghe, aged 76, in Luton, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019. Ananga sees dementia as 'a different journey' and is a strong advocate for people with a dementia diagnosis. He recently helped to deliver an open letter - signed by 36,000 people - to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ananga and his wife Joanna also tell the story of how they met during his time in the RAF. Your donations play a vital role in ensuring people a...

‘Changing opinions’ - Dementia together podcast February 2023

February 14, 2023 14:49 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MB

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...

'Home comfort' - Dementia together podcast December 2022

December 15, 2022 10:13 - 9 minutes - 13.1 MB

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,...

'Live your life' - Dementia together podcast August 2022

August 18, 2022 12:31 - 9 minutes - 8.7 MB

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...

'From my heart' – Dementia together podcast May 2022

May 18, 2022 13:27 - 11 minutes - 26.2 MB

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...

‘The best of things’ – Dementia together podcast April/May 2021

October 08, 2021 09:49 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

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.

How can a carer for a person with dementia get help?

June 29, 2021 11:49 - 4 minutes - 9 MB

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.

How can a carer communicate with a person with dementia?

June 24, 2021 09:11 - 2 minutes - 4.51 MB

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.

How can a person with dementia stay healthy and active?

June 22, 2021 11:05 - 2 minutes - 4.88 MB

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.

‘I’ve changed’ - Dementia together podcast February/March 2021

June 22, 2021 09:22 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

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.

How can a person with dementia cope with memory loss?

June 17, 2021 08:55 - 1 minute - 3.64 MB

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.

How can a person with dementia plan ahead?

June 15, 2021 09:21 - 3 minutes - 6.62 MB

Planning ahead means sorting out things like money, wills and powers of attorney. This track explains some of the ways you can plan ahead if you're affected by dementia.

How can a person with dementia get support?

June 10, 2021 10:14 - 3 minutes - 7.25 MB

When you have dementia, it helps to find the right support. This will help you to live well. This track summarises some of the main sources of support for people with dementia.

What are drug treatments for dementia?

June 08, 2021 12:04 - 2 minutes - 4.82 MB

There is no cure for dementia yet. Some symptoms can be treated with drugs. This track summarises the main drug treatments for dementia.

What are the non-drug treatments for dementia?

June 03, 2021 09:42 - 1 minute - 3.61 MB

There is no cure for dementia yet. There are ways of treating some symptoms without using drugs. This track summarises the main non-drug treatments for dementia.

What are the signs and symptoms of dementia?

June 01, 2021 11:44 - 2 minutes - 3.72 MB

This track summarises the important information you might need to know about the signs and symptoms of dementia. It signposts to more detailed information, if you need more.

Introducing Alzheimer's Society helpsheets

May 27, 2021 00:00 - 2 minutes - 3.8 MB

Alzheimer's Society's helpsheets are short and simplified summaries of our most popular information. Each helpsheet covers a single topic. There are ten topics in total. We’ll upload the audio versions for a couple of topics a week. If you'd like to know more about a topic, each helpsheet mentions our factsheets or booklets, and their codes. These have more detail and information in them. Make a note of the title and code. You can find them on our full list of publications: https://www.alzh...

What is dementia?

May 27, 2021 00:00 - 2 minutes - 4.1 MB

This track summarises the important information you might need to know about dementia. It signposts to more detailed information, if you need more.

Strength in acceptance - Dementia together podcast December 2020/January 2021

February 22, 2021 11:55 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

With the pandemic ongoing, our Dementia together podcast interviews continue to take place by video call. In early November we spoke to 82-year-old Musharraff Ali, who has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, to hear about his experiences of living with the condition. As you’ll hear, the fact that Musharraff was prepared to discuss his dementia so openly shows just how far he has come since his diagnosis in 2014.

Still worthy - Dementia together podcast October/November 2020

November 06, 2020 16:02 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MB

For the latest episode of our podcast, we speak by video call to Vesna, who has vascular dementia. Vesna lives in Bromley in south east London, but was raised in the care system in Manchester. She tells us about the challenges of her early life, the support she’s had during the coronavirus pandemic, and how she refuses to be defined by her dementia diagnosis.

Put on hold – Dementia together podcast August/September 2020

September 28, 2020 11:34 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MB

The coronavirus lockdown has paused many activities that have helped Barney Thompson come to terms with having dementia with Lewy bodies. We spoke to Barney, who lives in Northern Ireland, by video call over a period of months, as he discussed dementia, driving, Alzheimer’s Society support and his attempts to help others who have a diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Society Podcast

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