Don’t panic – there are so many things you or your supporter can do to help make life easier

Expect to have challenges. Always have a plan B for when for things go wrong

Making plans now will mean your loved ones won’t have to make those hard emotional decisions needed later down the line

Encourage others to support you to find new ways of doing things rather than do them for you and find a local DEEP Peer support group.

Never be embarrassed in telling people you have dementia. It’s a complex brain disease so what reason have we to be embarrassed?

Take part in research of any kind – social, technological and clinical – as without willing volunteers, researchers won’t be able to test their new theories on how to care, prevent or cure ………It also makes you feel valued and good…

I’ve spent a lot of time as an ordained person coming in to hospital and holding the hand of the recently bereaved, praying with the sick, hearing the confession of the dying. People of faith are a quiet presence in most hospitals, whether as chaplains or visiting clergy like me, we are there in the background for those who want us.

I remember the first time I baptised a baby in a hospital and then conducted that child’s funeral days later, the junior doctor involved was called Jenny. I remember the first time I was present at the turning off of life support, the junior doctor that day was Chris. I remember the first time I accompanied someone from this life to the next, clergy are midwives of resurrection and that first time the junior doctor was so unobtrusive I never learnt their name, I’m sorry I should’ve asked.

We…