Living with Alzheimer's: A Daughter's Journey
To mark Dementia Action Week (18th-24th May 2026), Jean, our franchise owner shares an honest reflection of her father’s journey with Alzheimer’s and her role as his daughter.
In this first instalment of Jean’s story, she recounts the first signs she noticed in her Dad and how she went about supporting him to get a diagnosis.
When Things Began to Change
Mike—my dad—is an accomplished man. He rose through the ranks to become Superintendent of the River Police, and throughout his life he has always been incredibly organised, capable, and sharp.
So, when things began to change, they were noticeable.
At first, it was small things. Dad became vague about arrangements—something completely out of character. Then there was his walk. It became slower, more shuffling, almost as if his shoes didn’t quite fit properly anymore.
Long before any formal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, we were already navigating the early signs.
Living with Alzheimer’s is a bit like reading a book where each chapter reveals something new. As time goes on, different challenges and changes emerge—often quietly, sometimes unexpectedly.
One of the hardest parts is this: the person living with Alzheimer’s isn’t always aware of what they’re struggling with. As someone who loves them, you constantly balance two things—stepping in to help and stepping back to protect their independence.
This is the beginning of our journey.
The Diagnosis
As Dad’s behaviour changed, I had a strong sense of what was happening, largely due to my professional experience and training in dementia. But knowing and having it confirmed are two very different things.
To access the right support, I knew we needed an official diagnosis.
That meant having a difficult conversation. I had to gently explain to Dad what I believed was happening. He took it relatively well—but like many people with Alzheimer’s, the information didn’t always stick. I found myself repeating things several times.
Our journey began with a visit to the GP for an initial memory test. I provided background information ahead of the appointment, but even then, I had to prompt the team to review it. One of the challenges with these assessments is that people can often “put on a good show” on the day.
Thankfully, the additional information helped, and Dad was referred to the Memory Assessment Service at Kingswood in Colchester.
There, a much more thorough assessment was undertaken. Dad underwent more detailed cognitive testing, along with a brain scan that can reveal physical changes associated with dementia.
The diagnosis came during a meeting with a consultant who kindly travelled to Clacton to see us.
Alzheimer’s.
It’s a word that carries weight.
A lot of information was shared during that meeting—much of which went over Dad’s head. But being there together mattered. It meant we could begin to face what was ahead, side by side.
