FTD - Navigating The Cr*p

In this episode, Beth is joined by her friend Lauren, who shares the story of her Nana’s dementia diagnosis at 87, after years of slowly declining health. Lauren explains how her Nana’s diabetes complicated symptoms, delayed a diagnosis and masked what was really going on - and how dementia still hit her family like a shockwave, even at an older age.This episode is a reminder that dementia always hurts, no matter how old someone is. It still shakes families, it still changes everything and it still takes so much love, patience and strength to navigate it.If you need support with anything discussed in this podcast, visit alzheimers.org.uk for the dementia support line.To learn more about dementia research and how you can get involved, email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Beth is joined by Helen, whose family has been profoundly affected by familial FTD. Helen first experienced the disease through her aunt, and later through her mum. When her mum was diagnosed, Helen was confronted with the reality that FTD could be genetic and that it might also shape her own future.With honesty and courage, Helen shares what it was like growing up in a close, loving family, watching both her mum and aunt change through FTD, and eventually making the difficult decision to undergo genetic testing herself. She talks about the long and emotional process of counselling, the moment she received her results and how she and her husband began planning for the future while raising their young son.If you need support with anything discussed in this podcast, visit alzheimers.org.uk for the dementia support line.To learn more about dementia research and how you can get involved, email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Beth shares a very personal update about her family’s experience with genetic testing for FTD. After finally receiving a long-awaited appointment with a geneticist, Beth reflects on the difficult questions this raises - whether to test or not, the emotional toll of waiting and what it means to live with the uncertainty of a possible genetic link to dementia.With raw honesty, she talks through the pros and cons of knowing, the impact on mental health and the challenges of navigating a healthcare system that often feels painfully slow. This episode aims to offers a window into the complex decisions many families face when dementia may run in the family.If you need support with anything discussed in this podcast, visit alzheimers.org.uk for the dementia support line.To learn more about dementia research and how you can get involved, email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply emotional episode, Beth sits down with close friend Kirsty Roebuck, who has faced the unimaginable - both of her parents were diagnosed with vascular dementia within 18 months of each other.Kirsty opens up about the first signs that something wasn’t right with her dad and the grief of slowly losing both parents in different ways to the same disease. She talks with heartbreaking honesty about denial, anger, guilt and the heavy responsibility that falls on families in caring roles.From navigating care systems, to handling aggressive behaviour, to coping with anticipatory grief and the emotional toll of becoming “the parent” to your parents, this is a story that so many will sadly recognise.But this episode is also full of love - love that continues even when dementia takes so much away.If you need support with anything discussed in this podcast, visit alzheimers.org.uk for the dementia support line.To learn more about dementia research and how you can get involved, email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Beth is joined by Hannah Gardner, a Consultant Admiral Nurse for Children and Young People at Dementia UK.Hannah works directly with families affected by dementia, helping children and young carers understand the condition and find the support they need.Drawing from her own lived experience of having a mum with young-onset dementia, Hannah shares how her personal journey shaped her passion for supporting others.In this episode, she and Beth explore how dementia impacts the whole family, how to talk to children about it and why recognising and supporting young carers is so vital.If you’d like to connect with Dementia UK or access support, you can call the Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Helpline on 0800 888 6678.To learn more about dementia research and how you can get involved, email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.