We hear from Rhon about how being a Dementia Friend has had an impact on his experience supporting his late partner with dementia, his role as a Team Leader in a care home, and as an unpaid carer to a family friend.
“I work in a care home and most of my service users are living with dementia. I have supported many people in work and my personal life with dementia and felt a passion to understand more about dementia and the people living with it.
“I will say that being a Dementia Friend helped me to learn more things for the future and apply what I learned; A Dementia Friend is here to support people who need help and know that people with dementia are human beings and to be treated as normal as others too.
“My favourite part of the Dementia Friends Session? I would say all of it, but the best one for me is the discussions - as a participant you can share your experience and listen to others too. As a carer for someone with dementia it is important to learn.
“From looking after my late partner diagnosed with Vascular dementia and family friend with Parkinson’s disease dementia, what I can say about the experience is every day is different for each person. You should have a lot of patience.
“My own experience has been really challenging. It is really draining physically and emotionally, but I’m grateful for the support that I received from my workplace and friends around. Also, with the use of social media groups and the support from my community e.g. social workers, GP’s and nurses.
“As a Dementia Friend, I’m able to share my knowledge to my friends and family who know someone who has dementia. I’ve also been supporting Alzheimer’s Society by taking part in events like doing Memory Walk and runs. It’s a great experience and with the amount that I collected from my sponsors it shows that people are generous and concerned about others.
“I would recommend becoming a Dementia Friend. I have been more aware and have learnt to understand the condition more. I hope sharing my experience will help those people who need support; Family and carers, paid and unpaid.”
Become a Dementia Friend like Rhon at dementiafriends.org.uk
