Monday 8th June 2026

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Over the past six years, I have tried to document the reality …My reality of living with early-onset Alzheimer’s, with my annoying sidekick!

I’ve written about foggy days when words slip away, and embraced the small victories, when I have adapted and something has worked well.

I’ve shared stories of keeping active by walking with my two Scotties by my side, I’ve learnt new crafts, joined lived experience groups and together we have laughed at my Alzheimer’s adventures, like the time I lost my phone among the sausages in the supermarket! I’ve cried, been angry and found joy in the special moments…Moments of meaningfulness.

Your encouragement and comments as you joined me by reading my blogs have often been a comfort, and knowing my experiences resonate with others is kind of a comfort.

Deciding to slow down was a hard decision, but now I have realised it’s been one of my best decisions. No more scheduled twice-weekly posts, frantic note-taking, photographs to jog my memory or guilt for missed blogs or unfinished artwork.

Shifting to a gentler pace, is something I thought I would struggle with, but by not stopping blogging completely its allowing me the best of both worlds

I think the decision was made harder because I felt as though I might be letting people down or abandoning those whom follow me regularly. What I hadn’t realised was the size and warmth of all the people reading my blogs…

Your emails, comments, shares, and likes have been overwhelming, I never truly grasped how many people have followed. You’ve shown me that this chapter in my life is not mine alone, it’s has been and still is a shared one

I will continue to pop in occasionally with updates, reflections, and stories about whatever me, hubby my sidekick and of course my four legged friends and I are up to.

I’m spending more time outdoors, enjoying moments with nature, just sitting in the garden and just letting my mind rest.

I don’t wish to talk about my sidekick all the time as i am still Gail

I know Alzheimer’s doesn’t have a pause button, so this is why I have chosen to relax and be kinder to myself.

Thank you, for following, sharing your thoughts, comments and simply just being around.

Monday 1st June 2026

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If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve been navigating the ups and downs of living with dementia. It’s a can dim my world in unexpected ways, foggy memories, moments of confusion, the days that feel really heavy.

Lately something so simple has been lifting my spirits, the Wonderful Sunshine. And the best part is I can finally get outside to soak all that vitamin D

There is something so comforting about feeling the warmth of the sunlight on my skin.

The warmth seeps through my body, chasing away the chill and the feeling of isolation. It’s not just physical, it’s also emotional. The sun makes me feel alive and connected to the world, there is life beyond my four walls.

It’s a boost to my system

Science backs up that Sunshine triggers our bodies to produce vitamin D, which supports brain health and mood regulation. sunlight exposure can reduce agitation and improve sleep, that’s if the nights are not too warm.

When I’m outside in the fresh air, it helps to clears my head, any fogginess clears and brings the joy back… which makes me smile!

Even on tough days, when words are muddled causing frustration, a short walk in the sun can reset me. I feel calmer, more myself. Smiles are easier as I watch the birds flit about…It makes me feel so alive, surely dementia can never take the feeling that the sunshine brings.

Life with dementia for me means meetings, routines , those bad head days, all of which keeps me indoors, which I sometimes resent.

I often peer through my windows, wishing i was chasing those sunbeams in the outside world.

I need to change, i think i need to listen to my heart more!

Wednesday 27th May 2026

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Over the last 6-7 years I have attended groups that have been suggested to me. How many times have i heard…” You will love this group”

But …”How do you know I will!”

How many times have i heard …” You will get on so well, there are people of your age”

You can’t just expect people that have never met before, to just instantly get along with each other!

I have now stopped asking for support, I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall for a mixture of reasons

Repeated requests and rejection makes me feel inadequate, I can’t keep repeating myself anymore, I can’t take the constant disappointment.

The constant knock backs are exhausting and what people dont understand is that asking for help requires a certain vulnerability.

It takes a lot for me to ask for help, so when I finally pluck up the courage, to say those words “ I think I need some help” I mean it!

But to keep asking is draining!

I think this could be why lots of people stop asking for help. Because it drains us of our energy, our judgment and our self esteem.

If you ask and keep getting knocked back, you do eventually stop asking…This is me at the moment.

Rejection brings withdrawal which then brings isolation, self silencing and erosion of hope.

I have come to believe that nothing will change, so why bother?

I am withdrawing because I just can’t see the point of asking for help, even campaigning is becoming a challenge…I’m just so fed up and frustrated.

I know I am most probably isolating myself or is it that I’m protecting myself from the constant feeling being letdown

Coping alone brings less effort and energy

People don’t quit simply because they no longer need something, people walk away when the numbers no longer add up.

Friday 22nd May 2026

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The air is cooler this morning the light hasn’t quite yet revealed what the day will be. When i set off for my early morning walk just before the world awakens, it’s like stepping into a different world…Everything is so silent

Walking is part of my daily ritual, no matter what the weather I’m always out and about with my two best furry friends.

This morning I’m heading off to Fleetwood Nature Reserve to hopefully catch the sun rising over the River Wyre and the distant hills

In the half-light, the hill’s contours are like a dark silhouette against the sky. The world is simplified, the details are hidden away; sounds of the birds take on a clarity that full daylight disturbs and muddles my brain

I find a spot and settle. The skies colours change, as soon as the orange glow appears I watch intently waiting for the sun to rise behind the distant hills

Sounds of nature in the distance, a single crow calls, then another answers. All different types of birds begin their own chorus, testing harmonies as they announce the new day.

Then the spectacle arrives as the rim of the sun appears, molten gold begins to glow, shadows sharpen and colours bloom across the sky. Orange deepens into coral colour, then a stubborn clear blue. Everything looks new …a new morning, a new day

The dewy grass glistens with reflected light, a spiderweb catches the sun and glows like fine silver, dew drops bead like tiny jewels

Watching is quite special a reminder that this my small hour is part of something much larger.

Problems look different at dawn. They don’t vanish, but the light makes them less claustrophobic and also a reminder that the world continues to turn

Photography is a must… I must capture the moment, a perfect memory. The first light of a sun rise is quite flattering, and there will always be plenty of perfect frames waiting for my camera.

I always step away from the lens for a while, just to let my eyes and ears capture the beauty of nature

The sun climbs over the hilltops, the magical moment breaks, the colours fade, more noises fill the air…Dogs barking, cars rev, the soft rhythm is broken…A new day begins

Nature is beautiful and we have to remember there are things in life that begin beautifully without our doing…Just to witness a sunrise unfold is so special.

Monday 18th May 2026

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When people say…

“ You’re so brave”

“ I don’t know how you do it”

“ You’re doing really well”

“ Aww, you would never know you was living with dementia “

Comments like these are not support! They don’t make me feel any better…Infact they have the opposite effect

Saying “You would never know you were living with dementia” might sound like a compliment, but it can be deeply harmful. Yes, you might think you are giving praise, but it often has the opposite effect…And it’s definitely not support!

This comment can be quite isolating and it’s just another excuse not to offer support. Just another abandonment disguised as praise.

Comments like the above can hurt, it’s like you are denying my experience. Dementia brings real losses, confusion, frustration, fear and loneliness. Telling me or anyone they “don’t look like” they have dementia can make dementia feel invalid or invisible.

When friends, family medical professionals keep acting like everything is fine, it makes it less likely to get the practical support, I may need to improve quality of life.

It also makes me feel i must hide my mistakes or downplay my struggles to keep receiving positive reactions, which in the long run increases my anxiety and reduces good communication. In the end it all becomes quite isolating.

Why is it so difficult to acknowledge someone’s needs?

People should be offering concrete help, instead of those vague compliments.

You should be focusing on each person’s needs not just assuming everyones needs are the same, so don’t brush my struggles under the carpet or anyone else’s struggles, face up to supporting

It’s okay to have bad days and needing help doesn’t mean anyone has failed.

Resources should be available, there is no need for a crises if the correct support is set in place.

People should think before speaking, sometimes that well intentioned praise can erases your reality, and is just another form of abandonment.

True support balances respect, honesty, and practical help, and the needs of the person…Don’t pretend dementia doesn’t exist, by giving praise.

We need support!

Monday 11th May 2026

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Over the past few months, I’ve shared several times how challenging it has been to maintain the routine of blogging, attending meetings, and consistently creating art.

With that in mind, I wanted to let you know that my blogs may not follow the usual schedule, and my artwork might not be published on specific days as before.

I’m allowing myself some breathing room and adopting a more relaxed approach to my structured lifestyle.

Please don’t worry, I’ll still be posting blogs and sharing new pieces of artwork, just not as frequently.

I appreciate your understanding and continued support as I take this step back.

I hope that, in time, this new rhythm will help me bring even more creativity and passion to my work, and I look forward to sharing with you all ….just not as often.

Friday 8th May 2026

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We all watch out for a bargain…That bargain that brings a special kind of excitement. It’s not just about saving money, it’s the actual thrill of discovering…It’s like a little victory

So when I was searching online for 2 bathrobes and found some at £2.50 each, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse…I couldn’t believe my luck!

It always feels so good finding a great deal, it’s like a little boost for your self esteem. It’s like you can’t wait to brag about the remarkable find.

So when hubby came home from work, my mouth went into an excitable overdrive “ guess what I found the best deal ever today, two bathrobes for £5.00 and with postage under a tenner!”

I must say hubby was a little surprised, but he didn’t question.

A couple of days later I received a email confirming dispatch, so now I’m excitedly waiting for the delivery

A knock at the door, Sooty does his 2 barks and runs into the kitchen…

Me I can’t get to the door quick enough…Woo! Delivery and it’s the bathrobes.

The parcel is handed over, this is where my brow furrows, I become puzzled, this can’t be right!

I quickly open the packet and there inside sits two toweling bathrobe belts! Yes Belts! No Robes…Just Belts!

What have I done!

I quickly check my email and then the website…surely I can’t have just ordered belts

There it was in black and white, how stupid did i feel!

My brain obviously wasn’t working correctly

So in the end, the excitement of finding a bargain turned into embarrassment.

Me and hubby did laugh!

I didn’t get a bargain after all!

Monday May 4th 2026

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Am I / are we penalised for trying to live well with dementia?

In my opinion and experiences, I would say YES! Which includes health care providers and people in general

Living well with dementia means that I find ways to keep doing the things that matter. I adapt, I make changes, and I try my best to staying active.

I still do household chores and gardening. I’m also involved with online Lived Experience Groups…

I’m just trying to stay as independent as I can.

Yet trying to live well and remain independent clashes with how some health professionals and family members look at dementia. Lots of people still think a person living with dementia “should” look and possibly behave totally differently to me.

I suppose me and the many others whom are trying to stay independent for longer are penalised, because we are too independent!

What is so wrong with staying independent and not wanting to rely on others for the things we can still do!

I suppose this is where those cynics come rushing in saying we don’t have dementia…If we can still clean and push a vacuum we don’t need support.

People and healthcare professionals should be looking at the whole picture, just because I can push a vacuum and communicate doesn’t mean I don’t have dementia or I don’t need support.

Trying to retain freedom, like driving longer, cooking, dressing all goes against old fashioned perceptions of dementia , but what people and healthcare professionals don’t see are those days when we can’t, cook, we can’t function, because we are confused, and consumed by dementia.

Lack of education and stereotypes, unfortunately still exist.

We should not be ignoring those whom are trying to live the best way they can, they are the ones that are working so damn hard to stay independent longer!

We should reward independence, not penalise!

We need more understanding, that living well with dementia looks different for each and every person living with dementia

Trying to live well with dementia and taking responsibility, for adapting your life, should be celebrated, not punished.

Independence and support should, go together.

Just because people adapt to their own needs to remain independent longer does not mean they don’t have dementia

And it certainly does not mean they are ok and don’t need support

Never penalise for having a disability and try to live well

Dementia was not my lifestyle choice, but I should be able to choose how I live with it!

Monday May 4th 2026

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I have struggled with finding connection throughout my dementia chapter, which brings me to talk about how we can best support and promote a positive good life after a dementia diagnosis.

It’s ok saying peer support is one of the best ways to support people…What if the person living with dementia is not one for attending groups, or simply there are no groups available.

What people sometimes forget is, not everyone is interested in joining groups

I would never have joined a group before my dementia diagnosis, so why would I change now!

Also as the years pass and my sidekick changes, I change.

Today I can’t think of anything worse than walking into a room with people I don’t know…I like and need familiarity.

I’m lucky that I have online group that I can connect with, which works for me. Sometimes I do miss the personal connection, perhaps it friends I miss rather than a group.

So how can we support those whom are like me, those whom don’t want to go out of their comfort zone…their own personal space…their home!

How do we reach them, how do we combat the felling of loneliness and isolation?

I ask myself over and over…If there was the perfect support for people living with dementia what would it be…

Perhaps start by looking at each individual, because each individual is different and unique

If money was no object everyone living with dementia should be assigned an DementiaUK Admiral Nurse and also a companion for those who need just a little extra the support

How do we tackle this problem …

Honestly I don’t know, raising awareness around dementia and seeing any results, is a very slow process!

I do know one thing …Real Life Stories have a bigger impact. Not false advertising made up of actors…It is the real people, people with lived experience that make a difference…Real people captures attention.

The main set back for anything is funding and where dementia is concerned, its way down the funding list!

Then when you’re living with dementia and you challenge, or even highlight that you can still live a meaningful life, some will challenge you back…Would anyone challenge someone living a meaningful life with cancer? …Probably Not!

We should be respectful of each individual, each person’s strengths will be different, what I can do will be different to what someone else can do.

I am beginning to understand why so many give up when living with dementia and opt for a quieter life, because it can be tough out there in the big wild world trying to adapt and live well with dementia. A quiet life is not for me though…Not yet anyway. I need to stimulate my brain, so I can hopefully slow the progression of my sidekick.

Yet I get so tired of trying to live my best life, fighting to find ways to keep my sidekick at bay, plus having to explain myself , whilst also being ignored.

My Dad whom is in 80’s lives with dementia, he says “ I’m a nobody now”

This is exactly how I feel sometimes.

Heartbreaking to think, how many others living with dementia feel the same way too!

Monday 27th April 2026

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Many know sleep for me can be a real issue.

Sleep changes are quite common when living with dementia and I frequently have trouble falling asleep, wake repeatedly through the night, become fidgety in the evening, which all affect quality of sleep and life in general.

I have read articles on sleep or lack of sleep and how it can damage the brain, I think I realise that it’s not doing my brain any good by not sleeping well.

For me it’s the difficulty of falling asleep or if I do fall asleep straight away it’s maintaining or staying asleep

Then if I do sleep it the vivid dreams or nightmares that can be quite disturbing and stick in my brain as if they are actually real

I know my sleep patterns must be having an impact on my memory, my thinking and my mood and I have tried several practical steps and strategies like

• Keep a consistent daily routine
• Bedtime at the same time
• Increase daytime activity, cant increase anymore I never seem to stop!
• I never nap in the day, unless I’m unwell
• I walk every day
• I have cut down on caffeine, and I don’t drink alcohol
• Tried apps, listening to calming music, listening to an audiobook

What ever I do, never seem to help, then I heard Doctor Amir Khan on tv one morning, he was talking about sleep and a tip to help you sleep, or should I say fall asleep, it’s called “Cognitive Shuffling”

Sceptical as always, that evening at 10pm I threw back the duvet, climbed into bed, found my comfy position and began the tip which the doctor had explained on early morning tv.

• Lie down in your bed, get comfortable, and close your eyes.
• Think of a word with no emotional connection, ideally one without repeating letters for example “BED”

Now for the alphabetic shuffling

• Take the first letter of your chosen word “BED” which is ‘B’
• Think of as many words as possible that begin with that letter….bat, banana, binoculars, bear, bee.
• As you think of each word, “picture the object in your mind’s eye”. If you run out of words move on the the next letter
• Next letter ‘E’ do exactly the same think of words being with ‘E’ …emu, eye, elephant. As before if you run out of words, a move to the next letter ‘D’

I did fall asleep thinking of words, I was amazed!

I have used this method more than once, quite a few times actually and it has worked nearly every time. The only problem for me, on odd occasions I struggle to think of lots of words beginning with a certain letter, my brain seems to freeze, but all in all I am finding this a very useful sleep tip.

Might not work for everyone but there’s no harm in trying if you are struggling to get to sleep.

It’s all about finding something that works for you.