Families of residents at a nursing home have shared the impact of dementia on their loved ones to raise awareness for World Alzheimer’s Month.
Clifton Lodge in Westcliff is run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and provides care for older people, including those with dementia.
Maggie said: “My husband Mike was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s early in 2020, although symptoms had started a few years ago.
“He now only really remembers the two years he spent doing national service in the Royal Air Force, telling everyone that he travelled the world, which he did in his main occupation as a telecommunications engineer.
“It is hard to accept for us as a family that your husband and father no longer remembers family time, but he does like looking at photos of the past.
“He really enjoys singing and music. He seems quite content at Clifton Lodge – the staff are all very caring, helpful and kind, which is a comfort to me.”
Lorraine said: “When first diagnosed, we were both overwhelmed and scared. Our future together was totally changed, all our plans seemed to disappear.
“The past five years have been difficult witnessing the changes in my husband and our journey up to now has been exhausting, both physically and emotionally.
“Terry is now in a home and while it is not how I would like his life to be, I know he is in the best place and he is extremely well cared for.”
April said: “When I was first aware of my husband’s condition I was not shocked, but sought help. It is nearly eight years now and I’ve accepted his illness.
“Bob has been in a few care homes and is now happy and content in Clifton Lodge.”
Alzheimer’s Society says someone in the UK develops dementia every three minutes and one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime.
Early diagnosis can ensure people receive support as quickly as possible.
For more information on symptoms, diagnosis and support, visit the NHS website dementia information page, Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Visit our Dementia Care Homes page for more information about Clifton Lodge.
About EPUT
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/