A woman has spoken about the devastating impact dementia had on her mother during her final years.
Erika Allen is hoping to raise awareness by telling her mum's story, after 93 year-old Mia died with dementia in April this year.
Prior to her death, Mia had suffered from vascular dementia for seven years, but the signs progressed slowly over time, until the disease finally took its toll and her condition worsened. Erika and her family tried to bring in home carers to look after Mia, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Eventually, it was decided that it would be best to put her in a nursing home. To pay for Mia's care, Erika and her siblings had to sell their mother's home in Leicester.
Erika is taking part in a charity fund-raising event next month for the Alzheimer's Society. She hopes that by raising money for research, future families won't have to be forced to make such difficult choices for their loved ones, reports Leicestershire Live.
“At first the progression was slow, with her repeating things. But after a couple of falls and failed attempts to have carers at home, it was decided she’d move to a care home,” she said.
“For one reason or another including lockdown, over the years we had to move mum several times to different care homes. We had some awful experiences with care and incidents happening and it completely took away mum’s dignity towards the end of her life.”
Latest figures from dementia charity, the Alzheimer’s Society, show that around 900,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. It is thought that one million will be living with the condition by 2025.
Deaths relating to the disease are rising every year according to the Alzheimer's Society, with the charity warning of the high numbers at risk of dementia. Estimates suggest that 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, but the disease affects families and carers too.
Erika knows that feeling but is relieved her mother’s condition meant she was shielded from the full effects of her dementia. However, the care required for her meant the family was forced to sell her home, while her leftover life savings only just covered the cost of her funeral earlier this year.
“It should never be allowed to come to that. I’m just pleased she knew nothing about it all, but as a family it has been a long and hard journey,” continued Erika.
To raise awareness, Erika and her family are taking part in this year’s Alzheimer’s Society at Leicester Memory Walk. Held at Abbey Park on Sunday, September 25, it will see Erika take on a 2.5km memory walk to raise funds to help improve research for dementia.
Despite the sadness associated with her mum’s condition, she said she still had many great memories. She said: “Mum was always there for me as the youngest. It gutted me when she died but I’m looking forward to walking in her memory and helping to make a difference for others.”
More information about the memory walk can be found on the Alzheimer’s Society website. People can also donate to Erika’s fundraiser online.
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