Your stories

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses. They provide life-changing support to families living with dementia. They have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems, helping families face the future with confidence. Read how our nurses offer a lifeline to people affected by dementia, and what this vital support means to them

Amanda's story

After Amanda’s mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the family were supported by Admiral Nurse Helen on our virtual clinics service

Paul's story

Paul’s story shares the difficulties with mental health that many people experience after a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia

Liz's story

Liz’s grandad Sam, was diagnosed with dementia in his 90s and began experiencing a common symptom; sundowning.

Liz shares how sundowning impacted her grandad and how our Admiral Nurse Caroline, supported and guided them both.

Diana and Lester's story

“Sam, our Admiral Nurse, was brilliant at helping me try to understand what Lester might be going through. It’s so difficult because when you can’t ask someone what they’re feeling, you can’t ever be sure. But she helped me to understand his behaviour a bit better”

Ricky’s story

Ricky’s gran was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. He shares the importance of reaching out for support after a dementia diagnosis.

Maq’s story

Maq, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2010 at the age of 54.

Aqib and Shahbanu’s story

Brother and sister Aqib and Shahbanu live with their mother, Shama, in Sutton. This is their story of how they support each other through their mother’s dementia and the importance of having alternative support services like Closer to Home.

Jude’s story

Jude was diagnosed with young onset dementia (Alzheimer’s disease) in 2021 aged 57. She lives in Oxford and is married to Becky. They have two daughters, aged 17 and 19.

I live with dementia: Hannah's story

Hannah’s husband Neil was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s at 51 years old. The family’s Admiral Nurse, Lizzie, supports them on a regular basis

I live with dementia: Joanna's story

Joanna’s mum has vascular dementia and is now living in a care home. Joanna talks about the impact that her mum’s condition has had on the whole family over the years

Fred sits on his sofa looking out of the window

I live with dementia: Fred's story

Fred’s wife Lynne has vascular dementia and is now in a nursing home. Here, Fred shares how his life has been affected by Lynne’s dementia

I live with dementia: George's story

George was diagnosed with mixed dementia in 2014 at the age of 62 and has spent much of the last eight years meeting people who live with the condition and campaigning for better support and services

Rachel and Brenda's story

Brenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 59 years old. Her daughter Rachel discusses what it’s like being a carer to her mum in her 20s and the support she’s received from her Admiral Nurse

Tracy and Steve's story

Tracy’s husband Steve was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia when he was 58 years old. Tracy talks about how they cope day to day and the support they’ve received from Admiral Nurse Liz

Penny and Rosemary recording their podcast

Penny's story

Penny speaks about her relationship with mum Rosemary, who has mixed dementia, how they started a podcast together, and how the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline has helped her

Denise's story

Denise’s mum Bertha was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017. Denise reached out to the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline and Admiral Nurse Deborah for support

Julie's story

After Julie’s husband, Brian, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she sought help from Dementia UK and got support from Admiral Nurse, Rachel.

Rob's story

Rob’s partner Jayne experienced behavioural changes after a car accident and was eventually diagnosed with dementia at 59 years old. The family were supported by the Dementia Helpline and Admiral Nurse Angela

Mary's story

As part of our CHC (continuing healthcare) campaign, Mary talks about how she navigated the process for her mum, with help from her Admiral Nurse, Simone

Pamela's story

When Pamela applied for CHC for her husband Rob, she felt the odds were stacked against them from the outset

Marilyn and David's story

We know that many families are worried about loved ones with dementia being in hospital, or being readmitted, with care packages at home difficult to establish due to Covid-19. Here is Marilyn’s story about how her husband, David, was returned home by their Admiral Nurse, Kerry

Jolyon and Fiona's story

Jolyon’s sister was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 63. They were supported by Admiral Nurse Amy, despite many challenges and geographic distance

Maureen and Michael's story

“Caring for someone with dementia is like living on a knife edge; it is so unpredictable and certainly has its challenges. You go through so many mixed emotions, pity, anger, frustration and even despair. My Admiral Nurse Katie became an absolute lifeline”

Bahman and Kathleen's story

When Kathleen, a former GP, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her husband, Bahman, was devastated to learn there was no cure

Colin and Gladys' story

Colin and his family struggled alone before they met Admiral Nurse Kellie

Geoff and Margaret's story

Geoff and his wife Margaret, had been happily married for nearly 60 years when he realised that she was not acting her usual self

Sue and Ann's story

Find out how our specialist dementia Nurse, Julie, helped Sue and her mum Ann come back together when it was looking impossible

Roger and Mary's story

After two years Mary was finally told she probably had early stage Alzheimer’s but wouldn’t know for definite until she had died. Admiral Nurse Mekala was there to help

John and Linda's story

John’s wife Linda was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 53. The effect of Linda’s dementia on the wider family has been distressing, but they have been supported by Admiral Nurse Lesley

Marion and Ian's story

Marion’s husband Ian was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 54. Through the support of her Admiral Nurse Sharon, Marion could care for Ian at home for as long as possible, and now realises the importance of holding on to the good times with Ian and the family

Beryl and Jim's story

Jim was diagnosed with dementia in 2011. His wife Beryl found the Covid-19 lockdowns upsetting, but was able to seek support from Admiral Nurse Tracey

Hannah and Neil's story

Hannah’s husband Neil was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at 51 years old. The family’s Admiral Nurse, Lizzie, supports them on a regular basis

Alf and Mary's story

After Mary was diagnosed with vascular dementia, husband Alf found it difficult to deal with the emotional strain he was under – until he met Admiral Nurse Anna, his ‘angel’

Jean and Derek's story

Jean from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire was married to Derek for over 30 years. Sadly in 2011 Derek was diagnosed with dementia and Jean’s difficult struggle to care for him began until he died in 2018