Hello and welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we have a truly inspiring guest joining us.

Natalie Carter is a passionate podcaster and a dedicated advocate for dementia awareness and caregiving. Her journey into this space is deeply personal—having cared for her Nan, who had dementia, Natalie saw firsthand the challenges that families and caregivers face every day. 

That experience inspired her to create The Dementia Dialogues, a podcast that raises awareness, sparks important conversations, and provides much-needed support to those affected by dementia.

Through her show, Natalie offers hope, guidance, and a sense of community for caregivers and families. Her mission is clear: to help improve care for people with dementia and ensure they lead purposeful, meaningful lives.

Before we catch up with Natalie, a quick reminder: if you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and share The Care and Dementia Show with anyone who might find it helpful. Your support helps us reach more people and continue these important conversations.

Find out more about Natalie's work:
Spotify: The Dementia Dialogues

Instagram: The Dementia Dialogues

Apple Podcasts: The Dementia Dialogues

 
Find out more about Deerly:
Web: deerly.care

Instagram: @we_are_deerly

LinkedIn: @deerly

"Hello, and welcome to The Care and Dementia Show! I’m your host Gemma Clay, and I’m delighted to have you with us today.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most crucial topics for families everywhere: choosing suitable elderly care. If you’ve started thinking about care support for a loved one—or even for yourself—you probably have questions. What’s the right type of care? When is the right time to start? And most importantly, how can you make the best decision for your family?

To help us navigate this complex journey, I’m joined by Karyn MacKenzie, Group Managing Director of Helping Hands Home Care. With years of experience supporting families and ensuring older adults can live independently at home, Karyn is here to share practical advice, expert tips, and to demystify the world of care services.

If you’re ready to feel informed and empowered about your care choices, you’re in the right place. But before we get started, don’t forget to hit subscribe to The Care and Dementia Show on your favorite podcast platform. That way, you’ll never miss an episode filled with expert advice and real-life stories.

Now, let’s get into today’s conversation!"

Find out more about Helping Hands work:

Twitter/X: @HelpingHands
Facebook: Helping Hands
Web: Helping Hands 

Hello and welcome to The Care and Dementia Show! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and I’m so glad you’ve joined us for another thought-provoking episode. 

Today, we’re exploring a deeply important and often overlooked topic: Dementia and the African Caribbean Community. 

Dementia doesn’t discriminate, but it does disproportionately affect some communities more than others. Did you know that people from African and Caribbean backgrounds are 22% more likely to develop dementia and often face barriers to receiving culturally appropriate care and support?

In this episode, I’m joined by Carl Case, a dedicated dementia educator and advocate, who wears many hats as Director of Operations at Cultural Appropriate Resources and Co-founder of the Sheffield Memory Hub. Carl has spent years developing culturally tailored resources designed to help people from African and Caribbean communities reconnect with the memories, music, and traditions of their early lives.

We’ll dive into Carl’s expert insights on how these resources can enhance person-centred care, promote meaningful engagement, and ultimately transform the way we support people with dementia from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Before we dive in, a quick reminder: If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to review, subscribe, and share it with your network. Your support helps us reach more people and keep these vital conversations going.

Now, let’s get started – here’s my conversation with Carl Case.

Find out more about Carl's work:
Web: https://culturalappropriateresources.com

Hello and welcome to The Care & Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re diving into a topic that every carer needs to think about: the legal aspects of care.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens if a loved one loses the capacity to make their own decisions, or what the consequences are if someone passes away without a valid will, you’re not alone. These are crucial questions that can make a big difference in later life planning.

To help us understand these legal issues, I’m joined by Paige Gouldthorpe, Senior Associate at Fosters Solicitors. Paige is a specialist in Court of Protection, Wills, Trusts, and Probate, with over a decade of experience helping families plan for the future. 

She’ll be sharing her expert advice on essential topics like Lasting Power of Attorney, deputyships, and safeguarding the wishes of those who can no longer make decisions for themselves.

If you find this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to The Care & Dementia Podcast on your favorite platform, and share it with anyone who could benefit from this valuable advice. 

Hello, and welcome to the Care and Dementia Podcast, where we dive deep into the topics that matter most when it comes to caring for your loved ones. 

I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re exploring an incredibly important and often difficult subject—end of life care, and how to empower both you and your family when navigating this delicate time.

When a loved one is nearing the end of their life, making decisions about their care can feel overwhelming. You’re faced with practical tasks and tough conversations, all while wanting to be present for the person you love. So, how do you manage these decisions with confidence and compassion?

In this episode, we’re joined by a true expert in this field—Clare Fuller, the Founder of Speak For Me. Clare is a Registered Nurse with 30 years of experience in end-of-life care and is passionate about helping people plan ahead, so they can get the care they want and deserve.

She’ll be sharing her advice on how you can prepare for end-of-life care, empowering both you and your family to make informed choices during one of life’s most challenging moments.

Find out more about Clare's work:
Twitter/X: @clarefuller17
Linkedin: @ClareFuller
Facebook: @SpeakForMeLPA
Web: https://speakforme.co.uk/

Find out more about SweetPea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care

"Hello, and welcome to The Care & Dementia Podcast! I'm your host, Gemma Clay, and in today's episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s so important but often overlooked – how to support children and young people living in families affected by dementia.

Did you know that by 2025, one million people will be living with dementia in the UK? Many of these families include children who are trying to make sense of this confusing and sometimes heartbreaking journey. 

That’s why, today, we’re thrilled to have Hannah Gardner with us. Hannah is a Consultant Admiral Nurse for Children and Young People at Dementia UK, and she’ll be sharing her invaluable expertise on how to support young people navigating the challenges of a loved one’s dementia diagnosis.

In this episode, Hannah will offer practical advice on how to provide emotional support, where to find helpful resources, and answer some of your most pressing questions. Whether you're a parent, carer, or simply looking to better understand how dementia affects the younger generation, this conversation is for you.

Find out more about Dementia UK's work:
Twitter/X: @DementiaUK
Linkedin: @Dementia UK
Instagram: @Dementia UK
Facebook: Dementia UK
Web: www.dementiauk.org

Find out more about SweetPea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care

Welcome to the Care and Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay. Today, we’re diving into a topic that touches the hearts of many caregivers: navigating the daily challenges of supporting a loved one with dementia or cognitive decline.

Caring for someone with dementia can often leave you feeling uncertain, especially when it comes to correcting them during daily activities. This can lead to confusion and distress for both the caregiver and the individual. That’s where the Validation Method comes in—a compassionate approach that invites caregivers to meet those with dementia in their reality, providing empathy and understanding.

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Vicki de Klerk, Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute. 

Vicki will share her insights on this transformative technique, which was originally introduced by her mother, Naomi Feil, in the 1970s. Naomi’s pioneering work emphasised stepping into the world of those who are disoriented, recognizing that there is always a reason behind their behaviour.

Vicki has dedicated her career to continuing this legacy, teaching the Validation Method with the same passion that her mother brought to the field over 60 years ago. She’ll not only discuss the principles of validation but also share her personal experiences caring for her own mother as part of a family team.

Find out more about the Validation Training Institute:

Twitter/X: @validationhelps
Linkedin: @ValidationTrainingInstitute
Facebook: ValidationHelps
Web: https://vfvalidation.org/

Find out more about SweetPea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care

Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Care and Dementia Podcast. I'm your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re diving into a topic that affects many families across the UK: young onset dementia.

It's estimated that almost 71,000 people in the UK who have dementia are under the age of 65. This condition, known as young onset dementia, can manifest with symptoms as early as 30, making it an especially challenging diagnosis for those affected - and their loved ones.

In today's episode, we’re sharing an insightful webinar with Jules Knight, a Consultant Admiral Nurse specialising in young onset dementia with charity Dementia UK. 

Jules brings her expertise to the table, offering support, guidance, and strategies for those facing the unique challenges of this diagnosis. She also answers questions that many families have but often struggle to find answers to.

Dementia is difficult at any age, but young onset dementia comes with its own set of obstacles. Jules will help us understand what it means to live with this diagnosis and how to manage the changes it brings.

Before we dive into the interview, a quick note: There are limited tickets available for future Sweet Pea Care webinars, so if you’re interested in more discussions like this, be sure to book your free ticket soon at sweetpea.care under the ‘help and advice’ tab.

Find out more about Dementia UK's work:
Twitter/X: @DementiaUK
Linkedin: @Dementia UK
Instagram: @Dementia UK
Facebook: Dementia UK
Web: www.dementiauk.org

Find out more about SweetPea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care

Welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast. I’m your host, Gemma Clay. On today’s show we’re tackling an issue that leaves many of us confused and even despairing at times - the  financial benefits available to caregivers.

This can be a complex subject to navigate just at the time when you’re flat out caring for a loved one. Finances, figures, forms - it can all feel like way too much to cope with.

So today I’m talking with Rob Sherratt, an Advice and Advocacy Specialist from Dementia Carers Count. Rob shares his expert advice on the benefits carers are entitled to and how to access them. 

This includes Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, and other benefits or additional support available.

This conversation was taken from a recent Sweet Pea webinar where Rob also answered questions from the audience, providing practical tips for caregivers on how to claim the benefits they are entitled to.

If you’re not familiar with Dementia Carers Count, they are a fantastic organization dedicated to supporting dementia caregivers and well worth checking out.

Find out more about Dementia Carers Count's work:
Twitter/X: @DemCarersCount
Linkedin: @DementiaCarersCount
Instagram: @dementiacarerscount
Facebook: Dementia Carers Count
Web: dementiacarers.org.uk

Find out more about SweetPea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care

Welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast. I’m your host, Gemma Clay, founder of Sweet Pea Care, and today, we’re diving into a fascinating topic: reading and dementia. 

You might have heard the claim, “People with dementia can’t read anymore.” But is this really true?

In today’s episode we’ll debunk this and many other myths surrounding dementia and reading with our expert guest, Matt Singleton, Founder of Cognitive Books.

Reading is one of life’s great joys, and it doesn’t have to end with a dementia diagnosis. Matt will explain how people living with dementia can continue to read with his specially adapted books, created in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. He’ll share the science behind reading and dementia, and provide practical tips on how to make reading a part of your daily dementia care routine.

This chat was taken from a recent Sweet Pea webinar so you’ll hear questions from families who are caring for a loved one with dementia.

Cognitive Books have been co-developed with people living with dementia, their supporters, and dementia professionals. These books bring joy to people with dementia and their loved ones, publishing simple yet dynamic content that empowers people to maintain their love of reading. His first two books focus on the Beatles and England’s 1966 World Cup win.

Find out more about Cognitive Books' work:
Twitter/X: @cognitivebook
Linkedin: @Cognitive Books Limited
Facebook: @CognitiveBooksLtd
Web: www.cognitivebooks.co.uk.

Find out more about Sweet Pea Care:
Web: sweetpea.care
Instagram:@care_sweetpea
Twitter/X: @Care_SweetPea
Facebook:@Sweet-Pea-Care
YouTube: @care_sweetpea
Linkedin: @Sweet-Pea-Care