Welcome to Dementia Talking Point! Find out more and say hello.

[SophieD]

Welcome to Dementia Talking Point

If you have dementia, or care for someone who does, you're very welcome to join our community and get support from others. Find out more about how to join and say hi to our friendly community on this discussion!

Finding out more

If you've got questions about how to use Dementia Talking Point click on these links below.

• You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.
• Our Help videos will show you how to navigate the different areas of Dementia Talking Point.
• We also have a Quick Guide explaining how to use Dementia Talking Point including logging in, posting, replying, checking private messages and searching.
• Also we recommend having a read through our Guidelines which are some useful tips and things to remember when posting.

Connecting with others

Head over to our list of forums to find people who are in a similar situation, people at a similar stage of dementia or an information topic that interests you.

Here are some tips on how to post a reply or start your own discussion...

1. When you're in a forum, look for the blue "Post New Thread" or "Reply" buttons at the top or bottom of discussions

2. To start a discussion, type a title, add your message and choose 'Create Thread'.

3. To add a reply just add your message and choose "Reply"

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Any questions?





If you have any questions about using Dementia Talking Point, you can email us on talkingpoint@alzheimers.org.uk or Use our Contact Form - we're here to help.


Saying hello

This is our welcome thread - the place many members start. Our volunteer hosts and regular members are here to say hello to you and to welcome you to our community.

Why not tell us a little about your experience and how you'd like Dementia Talking Point to help you?

Whatever you're facing today, we hope you find our community to be helpful and supportive.

Sophie

 

[Oseii]

Hello to the DTP forum! This last year has been shocking to me and the rest of the family witnessing our 90 yrs + Dad, who has been so ever independent even in his old age, suddenly losing control of his life. My Dad retired from work at about 80 yrs old and stopped driving at 85 yrs old! HIs sudden dimentia issues started after his fall in a Bus last year, having a hip op, staying in hospital and then in a care home, because of loss of his mobility and some of his memory faculties. My Dad has improved a lot now, but clearly he has some loss of memory and he even gets easily confused using his mobile phone! The old man loved buying and playing round his gadgets before. Anyway, I am now having to get a legal power of attorney to assist him, going forward. I have joined DTP to understand ins and outs of this dimentia disease or condition and to be able to help my Dad better!

 

[canary]

Hello @Oseii and welcome to the forum
Im sorry to hear about your dad, but you have come to the right place. I have found the forum a great source of knowledge and support and have learned so much from the vast collective understanding.

Do have a mooch around, but also, be aware that not everything that you will read about will happen to you or your dad - everyone with dementia is different even though many things are similar. If you want advice or to talk about something specific it is best to start a new thread so that more people will see it.

 

[hanlee34]

Hi, I support my lovely 87 year old dad who has had memory difficulties for some time. He has been assessed very thoroughly and received an unexpected Alzheimer's diagnosis yesterday. We're just processing this new diagnosis and a friend recommended looking on this website and joining the forum. I'm sure to find the information you provide really useful and it'll be good to connect with other carer's and hear about their experiences and tips. Thank you, I'm feeling a little less panicked and scared already.

 

[Sarasa]

Hi @hanlee34 and a warm welcome to Dementia Talking Point. Even if you are aware that someone is having difficulties the actual diagnosis makes it all rather more real.
There is a lot of useful information on these pages

After receiving a dementia diagnosis

There’s a lot to think about if you find out you have dementia. Our advice explains what happens immediately after you're told, and how to access support.

www.alzheimers.org.uk

including making sure financial support is in place, and I'm sure others will be along soon with their tips and suggestions.
You might like to start your own thread in the I care for a person with dementia forum. I find having a thread there works like a diary where I can post what has been happening with my mother, and look back and see how things have changed.

 

[Martin HJ]

Hello. Having read the publications and fact sheets over the last 7 years I thought I'd find my virtual voice as dad's journey steers suddenly this weekend to residential care where his confusions and choking can be managed and mum begins a new life of loneliness. Let's explore some threads and see if the decisions we've made are appropriate. I think they are, but the experience of others will help glimmer some light.

 

[northumbrian_k]

Hi @Martin HJ and welcome to Dementia Talking Point our friendly and supportive community. I am sorry to hear about your Dad. When someone needs residential care there is an inevitable period of adjustment for them, their partner and other family members. I hope that your Dad's move goes well and that after a while he gets used to the new situation. Your Mum will need to adjust as well but it doesn't necessarily mean a life of loneliness. Do keep reading and posting anything that you like. You'll almost always get a response that may help.

 

[l-phillips7]

Hi I’m Lorraine just joined

 

[Grannie G]

Hello @l-phillips7 / Lorraine. Welcome.

Please have a look round the forum and start your own Thread in the forum I care for a person with dementia , here;

I care for a person with dementia

This forum is for people who are involved in the care of a person with dementia.

forum.alzheimers.org.uk

Tell us a bit about your caring situation and I hope you will get the help and support you need.

 

[Fl0J0]

Hi everyone. My mum has been having memory problems for a few years now and more recently started to have problems with coordination and general confusion. Her mum died from vascular dementia at the age of 82, my mum is currently 73. She's going through tests at the moment, but I have a friend who used to specialise in Dementia and has been providing input, so we're expecting to receive that official diagnosis soon - they're taking a very long time to go through the tests and we always have to chase for the results, so it's proving difficult. My dad looks after her day to day, but is finding it increasingly tough, so I've offered to move closer to where they live to help out more regularly. Just finding it really hard to watch my mum going through this as we've always been so close and I feel like I'm starting to lose her, as there have been a couple of occasions recently where she's been confused about who I am, which is heartbreaking. I've joined this group in the hope I can get some general support but also to seek answers on more specific questions on how to handle situations. Thanks.

 

[Grannie G]

Welcome @Fl0J0.

Well done for offering to move closer to your parents to be on hand to help your mum. There is no easy way to come through this and however upsetting it is it is a severe illness like other severe illnesses. The difference is it causes mental and emotional anguish rather than physical pain.

Please start your own thread in the forum I care for a person with dementia, where I hope you will get the support you need.

It is here;

I care for a person with dementia

This forum is for people who are involved in the care of a person with dementia.

forum.alzheimers.org.uk

 

[LadyPenny]

Hi, my husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia a few years ago and has recently had a step change. He woke up one morning and his legs wouldn’t work. He’s now home with interim care after 5 weeks in hospital. Front room now looks like a hospital ward with hospital bed, MoLift, commode etc. we have good and bad days, sometimes he can manage to feed himself, other times the spoon doesn’t get to his mouth. He is permanently catheterised due to prostate problem so don’t have to worry about wee accidents. This forum looks great for sharing experiences. I’m wondering how people manage to go out and have some kind of life for themselves in this situation.

 

[nellbelles]

Hello @LadyPenny and welcome to DTP, it’s a friendly and supportive forum and I’m sure you will get a lot of suggestions.
I hope now you have found the forum you will continue to post.

 

[Oseii]

Hello @Oseii and welcome to the forum
Im sorry to hear about your dad, but you have come to the right place. I have found the forum a great source of knowledge and support and have learned so much from the vast collective understanding.

Do have a mooch around, but also, be aware that not everything that you will read about will happen to you or your dad - everyone with dementia is different even though many things are similar. If you want advice or to talk about something specific it is best to start a new thread so that more people will see it.

Many thanks, Canary!

 

[Denny-]

Hi everyone. I have been caring for my mum for many years. In the last 18 months her Alzheimer’s disease progressed rapidly since she fell and broke her hip. She now has very limited understanding and recognition, high anxiety, easily distressed and frightened, moody, uncooperative, very little mobility, various physical problems and requires help with absolutely everything. She needs 24-hour care, most of which I provide on my own with a little respite care. It is very challenging and becomes increasingly difficult but I promised her many times that I would not put her in a care home, and I know she wouldn’t cope in that environment. I can’t get out much so I am hoping that this online forum will give me ideas how to cope with some of the challenges and help me to feel less isolated.

 

[Shedrech]

Hello @Denny-
A warm welcome to DTP

Caring for your mum wholly on your own is quite some challenge ... I'm glad you get some respite, maybe think of home care visits, befriending visits and day care too
I appreciate that ideally you would like your mum to remain at home ... keep in mind though that it may be that her care needs become such that she needs a team of people around her; one person can't provide 24hour care especially if nights are disturbed and you don't get enough sleep ... life in a care home can be comfortable and you then visit as family rather than as carer

You've joined a supportive community so do keep posting with whatever is on your mind ... maybe start a thread of your own when you're ready

 

[SophieD]

Thanks everyone! This welcome thread is now closed and you can find our new welcome thread here: https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/thr...ing-point-find-out-more-and-say-hello.131599/