Fighting Dementia Podcast

On this episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast, presenters Leon, Fran (Alzheimer’s) and Tom (mixed dementia) speak with Liverpool City Council’s Emma (Senior Public Health Practitioner and healthy ageing lead) and Ellie (Director of Adult Strategic Commissioning) about Liverpool’s newly launched dementia strategic action plan and how public health, adult social care and NHS partners are working together over the next three years.

They discuss the need to better connect existing services so people aren’t left after diagnosis, improve information and signposting, address stigma, and build a truly dementia-friendly city (transport, public-facing roles, and inclusion). They highlight work to reduce inequalities through funding for the Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance, including dementia champions focused on minoritised communities and young-onset dementia, plus training for adult social care staff. The episode also covers prevention and early identification via health checks, links between heart health and dementia risk factors, support for carers through a five-year carers strategy, and a “Oily Fish” segment on diet changes inspired by Mediterranean/MIND approaches.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:26 Meet the Liverpool Council Guests

02:52 Dementia Action Plan Launch

04:08 Connecting Support Pathways

05:01 Services in Silos Problem

06:37 Dementia Friendly City Vision

07:37 Young Onset Dementia Needs

09:29 Funding and Inequality Focus

10:46 Prevention and Health Checks

14:56 Training and Awareness Drive

18:32 Signposting and One Stop Info

19:56 Carer Strategy and Workplace Support

23:41 Tech and Future of Dementia Care

26:37 Regional and National Standards

31:44 Break and Listener Call to Action

32:48 Advice for Newly Diagnosed

33:23 Life After Diagnosis

34:21 Finding Community Purpose

37:15 Social Work Reflections

38:19 Better Info Prevention

42:00 Oily Fish Diet Check

45:21 Mediterranean Swaps Recipes

49:38 Cookbook Idea Wrap Up

50:07 Final Thanks Disclaimer

Recipe:Date and oat cakeDates 150 gm Banana 1Chopped walnuts 50 gm and some extra to top cakeChopped dark chocolate 70% cocoa or chocolate chips 50 gm and some extra to top cakeMilk 250 mlOats 150 gmEggs 2 largeOil 4 tbsBaking powder 1 tspBicarbonate of soda 1 tspCinamon 1 tspInstructionsHeat oven to 180 C. Heat milk so that it is hot not boiling. Place dates in heatproof bowl. Soak dates in hot milk for 20 minutes. Blend the dates and milk.Blend the oats to look like flour.Smash the bananaAdd egg and oil to the date mixture.Add baking soda and bicarbonate of soda to oat flour.Add oats into date mixture and add banana, chopped walnuts and chocolate and mix well. Transfer mixture to cake tin or loaf tin. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and chocolateBake for 35 to 40 minutes.Leave to cool

Leon, Fran and Tom welcome Kirsty Robinson, a dietetic team lead for stroke and neuro with nearly 20 years’ experience and a personal connection to dementia through her grandfather. They discuss what dietitians do, why nutrition matters as one pillar of brain health alongside exercise, social interaction, stress reduction, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol, and why there’s no single “magic bullet” food.

The group explores sugar intake, fruit, hydration (aiming for 6–8 glasses of fluid daily), and the gap in early-stage/young-onset dementia support and resources - especially around changing tastes, reduced enjoyment of food, and cravings for sweet or stronger flavors. Kirsty outlines evidence-based healthy eating approaches, including Mediterranean-style eating and the MIND and DASH diets, and the hosts launch a new weekly “Oily Fish” segment focused on practical meal ideas.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Podcast welcome and hosts

00:30 Meet dietitian Kirsty

00:59 Why dietetics and brain health

03:44 Granddad story and neuroplasticity

06:29 How diet fits dementia care

07:32 Sugar myths and smart swaps

09:12 Access to dietitians gap

12:47 Taste changes and cravings

21:44 Hydration and daily fluids

26:08 What helps and next steps

29:14 Brain Healthy Diets

30:57 Mind Diet Evidence

32:04 Taste Change Challenges

32:55 Break And New Segment

33:16 Food Clip Reaction

34:58 Oily Fish Basics

36:08 Recipes And Meal Ideas

39:11 Overnight Oats Debate

42:08 Weekly Meals Roundup

44:10 Wrap Up And Disclaimer

On this episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast, presenters Leon and Fran are joined by Kathy, a project facilitator from House of Memories in Liverpool. Kathy explains how the programme uses museum objects to spark conversation and reminiscence through free themed “memory suitcases,” a mobile museum van with immersive digital screens, and a free app that puts themed museum collections “in your pocket.”

She discusses adapting content for younger-onset dementia and creating culturally relevant suitcases (including Irish, Chinese, and Afro-Caribbean) with community input. The group talks about outcomes such as reducing isolation, creating shared experiences for families and carers, and “magic moments” where people speak or read unexpectedly. They also share practical, low-cost ideas like making a personal memory box and using meaningful objects and music while being mindful that some memories can be emotional.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Podcast Introductions

00:37 Meet House of Memories

01:37 Growing With Community

02:33 Memory Suitcases Explained

03:20 Why Reminiscence Works

05:24 Updating For Younger Onset

07:06 Sessions In The Community

09:34 The Mobile Museum Van

11:54 App Takeaway And Outcomes

13:46 Funding And Support

15:21 Culture And Inclusion Suitcases

16:49 DIY Memory Box Tips

20:39 Living With A Memory Box

21:53 Memory Box Boost

23:04 Music Mood Triggers

24:29 Talking Through Memories

26:06 House of Memories Impact

26:55 Magic Moments Bus

28:22 How the Bus Works

29:30 Engage Dementia Community

32:02 Reminiscence Corner Break

32:43 Holiday Change Overwhelm

35:20 Meaningful Objects Only

37:48 Personal Keepsake Stories

40:57 Closing Thanks Resources

On this episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast, Leon is joined by presenters Fran (Alzheimer’s/mixed dementia) and Tom (mixed dementia) alongside guest Nat from Merseyside Dementia Friendly Radio (MDFR).

Nat explains he founded MDFR in early 2020 after caring for family members with dementia and wanting comforting audio without distressing content. The station is dementia friendly rather than dementia focused, offering clear, simple presentation with no news, no adverts, and reduced “sonic clutter,” and curating music around listeners’ “memory bump,” shifting eras from the 1930s–80s to the 40s–90s.

Nat shares access options (website mdfr.co.uk, Alexa, and DAB in Liverpool areas), listener feedback, and MDFR’s Merseyside noticeboard for dementia events and services. The group discusses how music supports mood, reminiscence, conversation, and wellbeing, and Nat invites donations and volunteers plus feedback and advisory groups.

www.mdfr.co.uk

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:29 Meet Nat and MDFR

01:15 Why Start the Station

02:49 Dementia Friendly Not Focused

05:16 How to Listen DAB Alexa Web

08:36 Local Flavour Noticeboard

10:43 No News No Adverts

15:03 Music and Reminiscence Power

19:48 Using Music on Bad Days

23:00 Science of Music Memory

24:48 How to Tune In

30:09 Playlist Stories and Videos

32:47 Alexa Tips

35:05 Final Thanks and Radio Example

On the Fighting Dementia Podcast, Leon is joined by co-hosts Fran and Tom, who live with mixed dementia, and guest Anne Forrester, a chartered legal executive, to discuss why families should arrange lasting powers of attorney (and eventually wills) as early as possible. Anne explains how powers of attorney help trusted people make financial and health/welfare decisions, avoid social services or court involvement, and keep control for longer through clear, personalised instructions, including care preferences and end-of-life guidance.

She outlines choosing attorneys, handling disagreements, safeguarding via Office of the Public Guardian registration (taking 12–16 weeks), and the risks and delays of deputyship if capacity is lost. Fran and Tom share how family conversations and early planning bring peace of mind and allow focus on living well with dementia.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:38 Why Legal Planning Matters

02:08 Anne’s Dementia Story

03:29 Family Struggles Without Paperwork

06:25 Choosing Attorneys Together

10:07 Health and Welfare Decisions

12:39 DNR and Personal Wishes

15:16 How Many Attorneys to Appoint

16:49 When Families Disagree

19:16 Fran’s Power of Attorney Setup

21:44 Talking It Through as a Family

22:13 Talk Early Together

23:30 Power Of Attorney Steps

26:11 Safeguards And Registration

27:30 No LPA Deputyship Costs

28:28 Choosing Trusted Attorneys

29:34 Complaints And Investigations

31:40 DIY Vs Solicitor Help

33:05 Living Well After Diagnosis

35:17 Acceptance And Peace Of Mind

37:38 Insurance Policy Wrap Up

38:18 Final Thanks And Disclaimer

On the Fighting Dementia Podcast, Fran (Alzheimer’s/mixed dementia), Tom (mixed dementia), and Marion speak with Jack, chair of the Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), about how he became involved through Dementia Friends training and how the DAA works as a Liverpool-wide federation of 114 member organisations.

Jack explains the DAA’s focus on spreading dementia awareness, improving dementia-friendly practices in sectors like retail, housing, design, policing, and health, and signposting families to support and activities via directories and social prescribers. The group discusses misunderstandings about dementia, the importance of “living well,” challenges for carers, and approaches like meeting people in their reality. They highlight young-onset dementia awareness (an event on 7 May at Central Library), work with diverse communities, and a key achievement: informing Liverpool’s 2019–2024 dementia action plan, including creating respite beds for carers.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:04 Meet Jack and the Big Question

01:49 How Jack Joined the DAA

04:48 Dementia Myths and Realities

08:00 What the DAA Actually Does

10:17 Dementia Friendly Design and Housing

12:14 Retail Training and Shop Stickers

16:56 Young Onset Awareness Event

20:08 Signposting Support and New Charity

23:57 Spreading Beyond Liverpool

28:19 GP Training and Better Diagnosis

31:08 Living Beyond Diagnosis

31:54 Finding Support Networks

32:45 Staying Active With Purpose

34:11 Kind Communication Strategies

35:19 Compassionate Distraction

38:14 What DAA Actually Is

40:09 Reaching Diverse Communities

42:10 Biggest Wins And Impact

46:49 Unequal Care By Postcode

48:19 Navigators And Advocacy

51:31 How To Volunteer

53:11 Hearing And The Senses

55:14 Every Dementia Is Different

58:28 Closing Thoughts And Outro

In this episode, the hosts discuss behaviour change with Tom, who lives with dementia, focusing on how hard it can be to build habits like drinking more water and adjusting diet. Tom explains that he often forgets to drink, even during cycling or long periods of focused activity like painting or building a racing simulator, and he questions the point of changing habits given his diagnosis, despite acknowledging water could help with cognition, concentration, exercise, and fatigue. The conversation also covers Tom’s sugar intake, his preference for sweet tastes due to reduced taste, and his view that an active lifestyle offsets diet choices. A later segment reflects on a music therapy discussion about how music can reach people in ways words can’t; Tom shares how music lifts his mood and what he likes to listen to.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:21 Why Water Is Hard

01:46 Hydration and Fatigue

03:06 Reminders and Friction

03:46 Diet and Sugar Debate

06:03 Taste Loss and Sweetness

07:39 Motivation to Change

08:34 Staying Active Mindset

09:48 Sugar Burning Off Argument

12:20 Music Therapy Clip

13:30 Tom on Music and Mood

15:18 Wrap Up and Thanks

Leon catches up with Marian, Tom’s wife and co-host, on how behavior changes have gone as Tom’s dementia progresses, focusing on hydration, diet, routines, and learning new skills. Marian says Tom enjoys painting and golf, but finds drinking enough water harder, using Alexa reminders, fridge stickers, and bottled water visibility to help. They discuss taste changes driving a sweet tooth, small diet shifts like moving from white to brown bread, and balancing enjoyment with healthy choices. Marian believes behaviour change is still possible eight years after diagnosis if the person wants it, noting Tom’s motivation and the podcast giving him purpose and lifting his mood during fatigue. She also shares practical support tips: routines, prompts, and doing tasks like cooking together as he struggles to follow recipes and read steps.

Resources & Further Reading:

Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging

SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/

Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/

Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and catch up

00:50 Diet and sweet cravings

02:30 Getting more water

03:52 Hobbies versus habits

05:21 Balancing enjoyment and health

07:07 Can change still happen

07:42 Acceptance and denial

09:08 Podcast as purpose

11:09 Subscribe and support

11:39 Living in the present

12:39 Tea making and recipes

13:54 Routines and reminders

15:45 Final thanks and disclaimer

In this episode, the host catches up with Fran about behaviour change months after focusing on habits like drinking more water, improving sleep, and learning new skills. Fran shares that a type 2 diabetes diagnosis pushed her to take diet and hydration more seriously, cutting back on high carbs, sugar, processed foods, and snacks like chocolate and crisps, while aiming for an “80/20” balance and using an app that rates how processed foods (and cosmetics) are. She describes feeling better, losing weight, walking more, and noticing improved sleep when eating less “rubbish.” The conversation also covers the importance of purpose and staying mentally active with dementia, and Fran explains recent sundowning symptoms, how she recognizes them, and how she retrains herself to keep going rather than stop.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.yuka.android

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and catch-up

00:50 Diabetes wake-up call

02:12 Diet swaps and treats

04:22 Using an app to shop smarter

06:04 Support at home and hydration

08:30 Sleep, sugar, and slip-ups

11:34 Why purpose keeps you going

13:24 Understanding sundowning

16:05 Coping strategies and pacing

18:23 Final thoughts and disclaimer

Dave Bellis of Radfield Home Care, a domiciliary home care franchise in northwest England, explains how his company supports around 80 people at home across areas including Waterloo, Crosby, Sefton, Southport and Formby, and how clients find them through word of mouth, advertising, and local authority links rather than dementia-specific referrals. He shares why he left a 30-year corporate accounting career after redundancy and his parents’ dementia experience, and describes the challenges of setting up a regulated service and building staffing capacity.

The discussion covers benefits of staying at home with dementia, including familiarity and avoiding separation, plus live-in care as an option for couples. They outline tailored services (medication, meals, personal care, community outings), the importance of continuity and dementia training, advice to start small and build care, and the impact of caregiver burnout, loneliness, denial, and the need for early family conversations and diagnosis.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Dave

00:44 Referrals and Access

05:38 Starting a Care Business

07:34 Why Home Helps Dementia

16:16 Choosing Care Advice

20:14 Diagnosis Barriers

23:22 Family Support Strain

26:20 Independence Matters

30:42 Training And Communication

35:30 Acceptance Beats Stigma

37:12 Final Thanks And Outro