Your donation today helps families like mine navigate the hardest moments.

The earliest signs that something was wrong with Dad came in ways I never expected. One of the first was on a family trip in 2017. Dad had always taken the lead on long drives, but that day he froze. He couldn’t work out how to start the car. We sat there in silence whilst he tried to remember what to do. When we finally reached our accommodation, I broke down in tears. Dad cried too. I knew something wasn’t right, but dementia didn’t even cross my mind.

In 2018, Dad was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia. He was 58. I was 24. At the time, I was living in London, trying to build my life, but my mind was always anchored back home. Each visit made it clearer how much things were changing, and each time I left, the guilt felt heavier.

Mom retired early to care for Dad full-time. Watching her shoulder that responsibility was incredibly hard. What kept us steady was the support she received from her dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, Tracey, who checked in regularly and helped guide her through every stage. Knowing Mom had someone who understood dementia, and understood her, made all the difference.

Dad died in May 2024, at home, with us beside him. I was devastated, but nature helped me grieve: long walks, quiet moments, letting the emotions come when they needed to.

My dad was a gentle giant, patient and kind. As father-daughter relationships go, we couldn’t have been closer. He was my best friend, and I’m so grateful for the time we got to spend together.

Lizzie, Dementia UK supporter