A WOMAN whose mother has been diagnosed with dementia has described how rapidly her condition changed.

Joanne Ford, from East Grinstead, says that symptoms of her mother Sylvia's condition were not picked up on initially because they did not fit the regular signs.

Sylvia, who used to work for Barclay's Bank before retirement, was diagnosed in 2021.

Joanne, 53, said: “My husband’s mother and sister died with dementia in 2019. Now my own mother is living with the condition after her diagnosis last year.

“I’ve seen a rapid change in her condition and now she doesn’t always remember who I am. 

“We care for her full-time with the help of professional carers. There were signs which we did not pick up on straight away as unlike the symptoms you often hear about with dementia, mum wasn’t repeating herself."

Joanne says that looking back there was a time when Sylvia, 85, called her up insisting she had forgotten how to put the oven on.

She said: "We put it down to the fact she lived with us during lockdown and did not need to cook for a long while. 

“She would also walk to the shops and forget what she needed to buy, so ended up with tons of food in the fridge.”

Now, Joanne is joining hundreds of others at Hove Lawns on October 1 to take part in the Alzheimer’s Society’s Brighton Memory Walk.

She will be taking part in the event with her friend’s nine-year-old son, his dad and her husband.

Joanne said: “It was our friend’s son who wanted to take part in the walk for my mother. I choked up hearing that. 

“It is heart-warming that someone so young would want to take part and fundraise.

"This will be our first Memory Walk and will be a lovely opportunity for us to remember relatives no longer with us. It will also raise money to help those like my mother living with dementia now, while offering hope that treatment can be improved and a cure found in the future.

"Alzheimer’s Society is a cause close to us and we try to support its amazing work as much as possible. 

“In September we are also arranging a charity concert and Farmer’s Market at our local pub.”

Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people across Sussex to join Joanne this October.

 

The Argus: Brighton’s Memory Walk last yearBrighton’s Memory Walk last year The Memory Walk is open to those who have been personally affected by dementia, those who want to walk to remember a loved one, and people looking to raise money for charity.

There are 26,500 people estimated to be living with dementia in Sussex. Last year, nearly 500 walkers and 40 volunteers helped make the Brighton event a success with £58,700 raised.

Jolian Ardolino, Alzheimer’s Society area manager for Sussex, said: “It has never been more important to support Alzheimer’s Society’s crucial work. 

“Too many people in the county are facing dementia alone without adequate support. 

“We urgently need to find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected.

“We are in awe of our amazing fundraisers like Joanne who go above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness for people living with dementia in Sussex. 

“Every step our fundraisers take will help us provide a lifeline of support for as many people affected by dementia as possible.”

Visit memorywalk.org.uk to find out more.