Thread by @MetroUK

At the age of 30, Georgie never expected that my dad might not know her name.

Her dad was diagnosed with dementia at just 46-years-old, this is her story.

🧵👇

metro.co.uk/2022/02/06/my-…

'Dad was a hard-working air conditioning engineer and he loved his job but his long hours began to catch up with him.'

'For a better work-life balance, he became self-employed.'

'This transition led to bouts of unemployment and a squeezed income.'

'He struggled to keep up with the paperwork; the people he worked for grew increasingly concerned about his performance.'

'Little did I know these were the early stages of dementia.'

'For weeks, I was told Dad was undergoing memory tests – I didn’t think this was anything to worry about. But one day, Mum sat me down and told me that he had been diagnosed with dementia.'

'I never knew that dementia could affect someone so young.'

'His condition, a variant of frontotemporal dementia, affects the ability to process information and knowledge relating to language and logic, culminating in memory loss and difficulty in undertaking day-to-day activities.'

Dad struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis. He buried his head in the sand and dismissed my concerns for what he regarded as ‘memory problems’.

'When I came to visit, I noticed Dad’s behaviour had become more physical.'

'It was no longer possible to care for him at home, and we began looking at other options.'

'The battle for placing my dad in care was exhausting.'

'I have found that there seems to be little to no knowledge of young onset dementia in the social care sector and we couldn’t find him a place.'

'Fortunately, my mum was put in contact with Fiona Chaabane one of @DementiaUK's Admiral Nurses.

'Fiona’s invaluable expertise helped us navigate the process and demonstrate the urgency of our case, leading to a secure placement for him.'

'One of the most frustrating misconceptions around dementia is that it only affects the elderly.'

'Awareness of young onset #dementia is low and people often have to visit up to five consultants before a diagnosis is even made.'

'Dad was the life and soul of the party. I’ll treasure the memory of vibrant family barbecues celebrating the football with him.'

'But more than anything, I will never forget the extent of his love for us.'

'We haven’t let Dad’s dementia define us, or him.'

'We hold on to the memories we have and continue to make the best of what we’ve been given, for however long he is with us.'

metro.co.uk/2022/02/06/my-…

If you need advice or support on living with dementia, contact @DementiaUK Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email [e-mail]