Table of Contents:
Quote of the Day
Interesting Stories This Week
Living with Early Onset Alzheimer's
Responding to YOU!
There will come a time when your loved one is gone and you will find comfort in the fact that you were the caregiver.
Interesting Stories This Week:
Trusts leading national study into dementia therapy
Trust improves dementia screening for local patients
New drug could lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, study finds
Dementia Action Week 2025
Dementia Prevention
With new Alzheimer’s blood test cleared, a potential vaccine could be on the horizon
Living with early onset Alzheimer’s
I recently read an inspiring story about Rebecca Luna.
She was told she had early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 48.
It started one day in her job when she didn’t know what to do or where to start.
Next, she left the stove on.
Nex,t she lost her keys.
She went to a neurologist and failed a 2-hour test, plus he had seen her MRI’s so he diagnosed her with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
One of her daughters was in denial, as was her mum.
She started to look for resources and eventually put a video on TikTo,k which has received 2 million views.
This gave her great feedback with practical ideas:
Minimise the things in your home.
Make a playlist of your favourite songs to stay connected to yourself.
Journal what you do each day, eg she showers but forgets
Get a family member to join her bank account
However, as she says, most of all “what I need is a hug from my family”.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we hear powerful, honest, and deeply moving insights from caregivers like you- and we don’t want them to sit unseen.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
"My partner gets angry or upset every time I try to help with washing or dressing. I don’t know how to handle it anymore."
Harvey says:
Thank you for sharing something so personal. This is one of the most common, and most distressing, challenges for caregivers. And yet, hardly anyone talks about it openly.
When someone living with dementia becomes agitated or aggressive during personal care, it’s rarely about the task itself. It’s often about dignity, confusion, or fear.
Imagine someone you no longer fully recognise asking you to take your clothes off, or help you in the bathroom. Even with deep love between you, the situation can feel threatening or humiliating to them, especially when the brain no longer interprets intent the way it used to.
You’re not doing anything wrong. But here are some things that might help:
Tips for easing personal care tension:
1. Give a heads-up, gently
Say what you’re about to do before doing it. Even a soft, “Let’s freshen up now, shall we?” gives them a chance to process.
2. Keep it warm and calm
Try to keep the room warm, use a soft tone of voice, and avoid rushing. Background music or a familiar scent can also help reduce stress.
3. Preserve dignity wherever possible
Cover them with a towel or sheet during washing, let them hold something (like a sponge or washcloth), and let them do parts of the task themselves if they can.
4. Break tasks into smaller steps
Instead of “let’s get you dressed,” try: “let’s start with your top,” and then gently move to the next step. The simpler the instruction, the less overwhelming it feels.
5. Step back if needed
If they become distressed, it’s okay to pause. Step away, take a breath, and come back a little later if it’s safe to do so.
This behaviour doesn’t mean they’re ungrateful or that you’ve failed. It means their world feels strange and uncertain, and they’re doing their best to protect themselves in a way their brain understands.
You’re showing extraordinary patience and love by even asking this question. And you're not alone.
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.