大象传媒

This diary was recorded during Alzheimer's Society's annual Dementia Action Week. The theme for 2022 is diagnosis. A visit from mobile hairdresser Elaine prompts Andrew to talk about how Mum's haircuts mirror her deterioration. He reflects on the first home visits, with cutting and washing in the kitchen, to the situation now where Mum is barely aware of what's happening. He looks back to 2017, when her behaviour began to change, and talks about his own reluctance to admit that something was wrong. Carolyn wasn't turning up for the salon appointments her son organised, or - if she did - was early, late or forgot her money. In retrospect these were signs of dementia and she was referred for a memory test by her GP. Andrew talks about the importance of not ignoring the warnings, of not making excuses (when, in your heart, you know something is wrong) and of asking for help. Mum and Me: The Dementia Diary was originally broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio Leeds.