Table of Contents:
Quote of the Day
Interesting Stories This Week
Doing something new after a dementia diagnosis- part 1
Responding to YOU!
The disease might hide the person but underneath there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.
Interesting Stories This Week:
Late-life depression associated with increased risk of dementia
Charity launches new dementia helpline in county
First subtle sign of dementia that can strike 20 years before disease sets in
Younger generations face less dementia risk, study shows
New dementia podcast blends research with real stories
The MIND diet may help reduce Alzheimer's risk, a large study shows
Doing something new after a dementia diagnosis- part 1
I recently read from the Alzheimer’s Society about 4 people who learnt new skills after a dementia diagnosis.
They are inspiring real stories.
Joan
She worked in a care home organising activities.
After her diagnosis, she felt ‘horrible and cried a lot’.
Then she joined a peer support group, Voices Together, where she felt supported.
They were experiencing what she was experiencing.
She was asked to speak about her experiences at an event.
Public speaking was a completely new experience, but she found it came naturally.
She’s in a completely different place than when she got her diagnosis, as she no longer hides away.
Veronica
Her initial response to her diagnosis was denial.
To explore what was happening with her brain, she decided to complete some online courses and became fascinated with sustainability.
She wanted to learn more, so she enrolled to do a masters in the green economy at Bournemouth University.
It was a 12-month online course with online lectures and meetings as well as assignments.
She developed strategies to manage her learning and received staff support.
Studying gave her confidence and an understanding that dementia doesn’t have to govern your life.
Her advice is to take one small step at a time.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
"Sometimes I feel resentful. I love my husband, but there are moments when I just want my old life back. Then I feel so guilty for even thinking that."
Harvey says:
Thank you for being brave enough to voice this. Resentment is one of the hardest feelings for caregivers to talk about, but it’s far more common than you might think.
When every waking moment revolves around another person’s needs, it’s natural to long for freedom, normality, or even just a quiet moment to yourself.
Feeling that way doesn’t mean you don’t love your partner. It means you are human, carrying a load that most people will never fully understand.
Here are some thoughts that may help:
Name the feeling, don’t judge it
Resentment usually masks exhaustion, grief, or loneliness. If you can name it honestly, it becomes easier to handle. Saying to yourself, “I’m feeling tired and stretched,” is more compassionate than saying, “I’m a bad person for resenting this.”Tiny breaks matter
Even 10 minutes sitting in the garden with a cup of tea, or phoning a friend, can help you reconnect with yourself. You don’t have to wait for a whole day of respite to feel some relief.Share the unspoken
If you trust someone (a friend, a support group, or another carer) talking openly about these feelings can lift a huge weight. You’ll often find they’ve felt the same.Guilt is a signal, not a verdict
Guilt often shows up when your needs clash with your duties. That doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you need support, too.
Please remember: resentment doesn’t cancel love. You can adore someone and still struggle with the reality of caring for them. Allowing yourself to be honest is the first step towards finding balance.
You’re doing more than enough.
Warmly,
Harvey
If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.