Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.

Sadie

Sadie has a complicated diagnosis because she lives with memory problems but the consultants have not identified the reason. They think it is because of the pain she lives with related to different illnesses.

  • Background

    Sadie, aged 68, worked as an administrator and coordinator for carers’ groups. Sadie lives with her husband and he is always a good support to her.

  • Anne

    Anne, aged 78, likes having time to herself but also enjoys seeing her granddaughter who visits each week. She also meets up with friends when she can. As Anne lives near a racecourse, she enjoys the lively atmosphere and looking…

  • Background

    Anne has noticed a decline in her memory over recent years but does not have a dementia diagnosis. She is widowed and has two sons and one daughter. Anne lives...

  • Sir Terry Pratchett

    After some false diagnoses, Terry was diagnosed in 2007 with a rare form of early-onset dementia called Posterior Cortical Atrophy, known as PCA. He started having problems reading and writing. Terry published several novels after his diagnosis which he created…

  • Background

    Sir Terry Pratchett was a best-selling author, known for his humour, satire and fantasy novels. He wrote stories and articles for his school magazine. When he left school, he trained...

  • John

    John has years of experience supporting LGBTQ+ people living with dementia. He previously worked for the LGBT Switchboard and now, alongside his work for the LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group, is studying for a PhD.

  • Background

    John is a director of LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group, a community interest company. His work involves supporting LGBTQ+ people living with dementia and raising awareness of their needs by delivering...

  • Phil

    Phil was first told he had mild cognitive impairment but after delays, a lumbar puncture, and scans, he was given diagnoses of Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He was informed by letters which were quite blunt and felt impersonal.

  • Background

    Phil was first told he had mild cognitive impairment but after delays, a lumbar puncture, and scans, he was given diagnoses of Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He was...

  • Lawrence

    Lawrence has been diagnosed with dementia and prescribed memantine. The medication was giving him side effects that he described as headaches, or a heaviness in his head. The doctor advised him to take the tablet at night to lessen this…

  • Background

    Lawrence, aged 81, lives with his wife and they have two adult children. His daughter lives nearby and visits every day, she is his main carer. Lawrence is a retired...

  • Andrew

    Andrew received a young onset dementia diagnosis at his HIV clinic after speaking to his consultant about memory concerns. Following his diagnosis, he was prescribed Galantamine which he feels has greatly improved his symptoms and improved his memory test results.

  • Background

    Andrew, aged 68, lives with his partner in a city by the seaside. He is a retired languages teacher and is fluent in French and German. He has lived in...

  • Peter

    After a delay due to Covid-19, Peter was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is determined to be positive and live well with his memory problems. Peter feels that his dementia may be linked to hearing problems after working at a…

  • Background

    Peter, aged 72, is a retired hospitality manager and lives with his wife. He has always enjoyed researching his family history but since struggling with his memory, he has found...

  • John and Mary

    It took some time for John to be diagnosed. At first, he was prescribed antidepressants. During the pandemic he went back to the doctor about this memory problems and was eventually diagnosed with dementia and prescribed Donepezil.

  • Background

    John, aged 83, is a retired Community Psychiatric Nurse. He likes to do jobs around the house and garden but finds he needs more prompting these days. John and his...

  • Pat

    Pat, aged 75, has a diagnosis of mixed dementia and takes medication for this. She is a retired office manager and lives with her husband, Barrie.  She has always enjoyed reading and writing and is a published author.

  • Background

    Pat gained a degree in English and American literature and went on to write plays and novels. She enjoys art, painting wildlife in particular, and has her work on display...