I am a carer
How we support carers
If you need support and live in Berkshire, Surrey Heath, North East Hampshire or Farnham, choose from the options below to see how we can help provide support for you and your family.
Our services
Our charity offers a range of support services from Monday to Friday for people living with young onset dementia, offering carers valuable respite time.
Carer handbook
YPWD Surrey Heath carers created this handbook to support new carers at the start of their journey, signposting help from health and social services, local authorities and community groups such as YPWD.
Carer support groups
We run support groups throughout the year to bring carers together, allowing them to share their experiences and support one another.
Admiral nurse support
Each of our supporting areas has a dedicated admiral nurse who are there to support you and your family whenever you need following a dementia diagnosis.
Explaining young onset dementia
A useful resource if you would like to learn more about your loved one’s diagnosis of young onset dementia.
Make a referral
If you live in our supporting areas and your loved one has received a diagnosis of young onset dementia, you can refer them to our services.
Mike & Sylvia’s Story
Mike & I grew up in opposite corners of the same cul-de-sac. He was my first boyfriend, and we soon discovered we were soulmates. In 1978 we bought our first house and got engaged, planning to fix up the house before getting married in 1980. However, tragedy struck in 1979 when Mike had an horrific motorcycle accident. He suffered major head trauma and had to undergo an emergency operation to release a blood clot on the brain. It was touch and go for a while, but he made a miraculous recovery, surprising all the medical staff who expected him to be permanently incapacitated even if he survived the operation.
We had many very happy years of marriage, but Mike was never able to hold down a job for very long which with hindsight was almost certainly down to the unseen damage done by the accident. Around 2015 he started losing the ability to do things like DIY, starting projects as he had always done but not being able to finish them and making silly mistakes. He also had short term memory lapses, such as forgetting to pick me up from the station after work. It started so gradually that I didn’t really notice the changes until other people started commenting on his behaviour.
After a stressful few months, I managed to persuade him to go with me to our GP. Mike was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment which was later upgraded to Mixed Dementia (Vascular & Alzheimer’s). Although very distressed by the diagnosis I felt some element of relief that we at last had an explanation for his symptoms which I then realised were not his fault. At the memory clinic I was referred to the YPWD which was the best thing ever! I no longer felt alone and since joining the group Mike has benefited from at least 2 activities every week. He particularly enjoys katakanuing, equine therapy and snooker.
Of course, there are times when I feel sad for days gone by but the friends I have made through YPWD are truly uplifting and keep me going through the difficult days. Unlike our other friends they understand exactly the experiences we are all going through and being able to talk, laugh & cry together is something I value more than I can say. Sometimes I feel that dementia has robbed us of our golden years together but mostly we just take one day at a time and try to get the best out of the time still have left. I cannot thank YPWD enough for giving me that lifeline!
Sylvia
