Lets Talk About Dementia

When the unexpected happens — whether it's a fall, a sudden hospital visit, or you're unable to care for your loved one — clear planning can help you avoid panic, delays, and mistakes.

Having a plan in place gives us peace of mind.

We’ll explore:

• The essential elements of an emergency care plan
• How to prepare a carer backup plan in case you’re unavailable
• Which professionals, services, and family members should be contacted — and who should not
• Tips for making your emergency plan simple, clear, and accessible
• Free Emergency Planning Document to help you get started

Here's the link for your own copy here - Emergency Planning Document

Whether you're supporting someone newly diagnosed or caring for a loved one in advanced stages of dementia, this episode gives you practical and compassionate advice for peace of mind.

I share my personal, non-medical insights from caring for both my parents who lived with dementia.

There are often dramatic and often surprising changes in taste, appetite, and eating habits that can occur as dementia progresses, and I provide practical, compassionate advice on how to adapt, which has worked for us

Download your Accompanying Guide here

and let's make sure you receive all the tips, guide and information that I share.

• Dementia causes real neurological changes that impact taste and appetite.
• Some people reverse lifelong food preferences (e.g., savory to sweet or vice versa).
• These shifts are not preferences, but loss of taste sensitivity, especially for subtle flavors.

• What food to focus on

• Traditional mealtimes may no longer apply. How to support this

• Many with dementia stop drinking familiar drinks, what to change to

• Their mental exhaustion is real – even if physically inactive, their brain is running a “mental marathon.” How to understand this

• Ask GPs about prescription drinks
• Speak to your GP before you make any dietary changes if your Loved one has Diabetes

Adapt. Be patient. Stay kind. Support your loved one by becoming a “food detective” – experimenting with what works, accepting changes without judgment, and focusing on what gets calories in, not what’s on the healthy eating list.

In this episode of My Dementia Road Trip, I share how I adapt the traditional Sunday lunch for my mum, who lives with Alzheimer’s and has a very small appetite. From choosing the right meat to mastering nutrient-packed gravies, I walks you through practical ways to make every bite count — without overwhelming the plate.

You’ll learn:

• The go-to meat (and how to keep it moist and tender)
• How changing taste and texture preferences affect food choices in dementia
• Ways to pack in calories and nutrition with roast potatoes, sweet veg, and creamy desserts
• How to make homemade gravy into a nutrient powerhouse
• Tips for small portions with big flavor — and how to avoid common mealtime pitfalls

I also open up about the trial and error involved as we learn how to adapt in the kitchen, sharing real examples of what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in my kitchen.

Whether you’re a carer, family member, or just trying to support a loved one better at mealtimes, this episode is my honest guide full of simple but powerful food adaptations — all grounded in love, tradition, and nutritional care.

🧡 "Every mouthful matters. Let’s make them count."

When words fade, connection still remains and the heart still speaks. Explore how a gentle conversation sparked a meaningful wink in the silence of dementia.

In this episode, I share a personal experience of how I connected with my Dad one who had advanced dementia.

Even though words were no longer possible for him, a simple wink became a powerful way to communicate.

I talk about how carers can reach out beyond words, using kindness and patience to create moments of connection.

This episode is all about finding those small, meaningful ways to stay connected, even when silence feels like the only language left.

Show Notes:

In today’s deeply personal episode, Angela shares a small but meaningful stop along her dementia carer journey, a pause for coffee, and a pause for herself.

When you’re caring for someone with dementia, it’s easy to forget where you end and the caregiving begins. Life moves in loops of responsibility, and we often run on subconscious autopilot. But today, Angela gently challenges that rhythm, choosing presence over pressure.

From the driver’s seat of her roadtrip, she reflects on:

• 🧠 The emotional toll of dementia careers

• ☕ The quiet magic of a coffee break, alone

• 🛑 Interrupting our normal subconscious "carer autopilot"

• ❤️ The quiet power of choosing yourself, even for a few minutes

This episode is an invitation—to breathe, to reflect, and to remember that you deserve care too.

💬 Let's Stay Connected:

• Instagram: @mydementiaroadtrip
• Facebook: My Dementia Roadtrip Community
• Website: www.mydementiaroadtrip.com

💛 If this episode resonated with you...

Please consider leaving a review or sharing it with a fellow caregiver. Your story matters, and every listen helps others feel less alone.

Want something to help you create those moments for you to stop and value you? Here's a valuable resource that you can use every day... Check back later today for the link!

In this episode, I dive into a common and emotionally challenging scenario for cares: when a loved one with dementia asks to "go home."

Drawing from my personal experience, caring for both of my parents who have dementia, I explore, what this phrase often really means and why traditional responses may not be effective.

Key Points Discussed:

The Deeper Meaning Behind "I Want to Go Home": I unpack what this phrase often signifies beyond the literal interpretation.

Why Correcting Isn’t the Answer: Discuss why the instinct to correct or educate can sometimes be counterproductive in dementia situations.

Adapting Our Reactions: Learn about the importance of shifting our approach to better support your loved one’s emotional needs.

Personal Stories and Insights: I share my own real-life examples and insights from my decade-long journey as a carer.

If you've ever struggled with how to respond when your loved one with dementia asks to go home, this episode offers valuable perspectives and tips that can make a real difference in how you handle these situations.

I offer practical insights, designed to help you navigate these tough moments with greater ease and understanding.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to approach this sensitive topic and to learn strategies that could improve the quality of life for both you, and your loved one.

Connect with me at www.mydementiaroadtrip.co.uk  and follow My Dementia Road Trip on for more tips, resources, and support.

Sometimes, we need to talk through a situation to be able to work through it, if this is something you would like, you can contact me and book time with me. We have a special carers community coming very soon, this is all on the website.  

I've learned to embrace empathy and patience in my carers journey. Please remember, that although we may feel alone, we're not, there are lots of people going through exactly what we are going through every day.

By sharing my experiences, I hope to offer support and comfort to you as we navigate similar challenges.

Episode Title: Navigating Walking Challenges in Alzheimer's and Dementia

Host: Angela, caregiver for both parents with Alzheimer's and dementia

Summary:

In this episode, Angela delves into a specific challenge faced by individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia—walking issues related to visual perception. Drawing from her personal experience caring for her parents, Angela shares the difficulties and solutions she has encountered in managing these walking fears.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Walking Issues:

• Angela introduces the topic of walking issues in Alzheimer's dementia, particularly the fear of the ground.
• Common perceptions include shiny floors appearing as water, dark rugs as voids, and patterned surfaces as moving entities.

1. Personal Experience with Visual Perception Challenges:

• Angela describes her personal experiences with her mother’s fear of the staircase in their old property.
• The challenge of curved stairs and how it causes her mother to become petrified.

1. Strategies and Solutions Tried:

• The use of hazard tape to outline the edges of stairs, which unfortunately did not work.
• Consideration of stair lifts, acknowledging the limitations due to the age and design of their staircase.
• Physical assistance, such as carrying her mother down the stairs or guiding her step by step.

1. Adapting to the Environment:

• Suggestions to cover problematic flooring with solid-colored, pattern-free carpets to mitigate visual confusion.
• Angela shares her approach of accompanying her mother down the stairs to provide reassurance.

1. Understanding and Reassurance:

• Emphasis on understanding the perspective of those with Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Angela’s message to caregivers: accept the fears as real, provide reassurance, and adapt to the needs of those in their care.

1. Final Thoughts and Encouragement:

• Angela encourages other caregivers, acknowledging the challenges but also highlighting the importance of patience and adaptation.
• Reiteration of the importance of getting into the mindset of those with Alzheimer's to alleviate stress for both the patient and caregiver.

Conclusion:

Angela wraps up the episode by emphasizing that the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer's and dementia requires ongoing adaptation and reassurance. She encourages listeners to stay strong and compassionate, reminding them that their efforts are invaluable.

Takeaway Message:

Understand the fears experienced by those with Alzheimer's as real, provide constant reassurance, and adapt your strategies to ensure a safer and less stressful environment for them.

Contact Information:

• Host: Angela from My Dementia Road Trip
• Website: www.mydementiaroadtrip.com
• Email: [email protected]

Additional Resources:

• Articles and books on managing Alzheimer's and dementia
• Support groups for caregivers
• Tips for creating a dementia-friendly home environment

Are you on this journey, you're a carer for someone, or some people with Alzheimers / Dementia?

In this podcast, I share how a conversation about a Dementia Review brought me to tears.

Don't sit there in silence, as I do believe that there may be hope to getting help for us now were in post covid days.

Here's to you and the amazing person that you are, doing an amazing job and being truly incredible.

Christmas is a strange time for dementia carers.

If this Podcast, I share my own personal experience of Christmas and the missing Christmas cards.

it's a very emotional time of year and whether you're a carer, or know of a carer, this podcast is for you.

Till next time

Angela

xxx

Welcome to my Podcast... Lets Talk About Dementia

I will be sharing some of my experiences, caring for 2 parents who both have Alzheimers / Dementia.

I have been caring for and supporting both of my parents from 165 miles away, so I do appreciate how difficult it can be explaining how to use a remote control over the telephone!

This has caused me lots of anxious times in trying my best to support them.

I also wanted to share my experiences to help others who are on this journey too.

It's a journey that none of us want to be on, however we find ourselves on this journey and it's a journey that we are doing our absolute best on.

Huge hugs and you're doing great!

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