Lost Memories: My Gran’s Alzheimers
- Written by: Jamie Roberts — The University of Strathclyde — Student
- Published: 9th November 2018
Jamie shares a personal story in which he speaks about his Gran who is living with dementia
Dementia. Everybody knows the word. Most people will associate it with memory loss and getting older. Which I suppose it is. However, it is much, much more. In a nutshell, dementia eats away at the brain until the person that has it is no longer the person you knew.
Ten years ago my gran was 72. She would lose her keys. She would forget her pin number. She would forget her passwords. Fairly standard for someone her age? If only that’s what it was. In 15 years we have gone from small memory lapses to virtually no memory at all.
I am hoping that blogging about something so personal to me will give you an insight into how devastating a disease dementia is.
It is not as simple as just having ‘dementia’ there are several types. We have Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Frontotemporal and dementia with Lewy bodies to choose from. I’m not going to describe all the different types of dementia but you can find more information here (this link will take you away from our website). My Gran Ruby has Alzheimer’s disease.
Ten years ago I was 10. Gran was just a ‘normal’ Gran. She was driving, cooking, playing bridge and loved her garden. She lived with my Grandad and I would see her regularly after school. Even as young as 10, the cracks were showing. With hindsight, writing her passwords down and then forgetting where she put them was just one indication that she was already suffering from the disease.
People just laugh off wee things like forgetting your keys, not knowing what day it is and forgetting people’s names. And it can be funny – like the time washing up liquid ended up in our mince and potatoes… not the best meal she’s ever made us! Funny, but with sinister undertones. We have gone from laughter to heartbreak over the last ten years. Gran is now in a home. I see her often. I don’t know if she sees me. My blog hopefully gives you an insight into the journey that I and my family have been on, and are still on, with gran. I also hope I can raise awareness of the disease and let others know if you are dealing with a similar thing, you’re not alone.
You can read four other blogs that Jamie has written about his Gran on his Lost Memories page (this link will take you away from our website).
The Silent Assassin (this link will take you away from our website)
Shhhhhh… (this link will take you away from our website)
A Home from Home? (this link will take you away from our website)
Happy Memories (this link will take you away from our website)
End of page.
You may also like:
Steven Mair gives us an insight into his role as a gamer at the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
Continue readingSince 2009, ALISS has helped people find local health and wellbeing support. Any group, big or small, can add their information.
Continue readingThe new Scottish Government must turn promises into action to improve hospice and palliative care
Continue readingTogether, we can create lasting change for everyone living with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Continue readingFind out more about these digital self management tools and how to get in touch to arrange an information session.
Continue readingOur Chief Officer Sara Redmond addresses recent commentary on the relationship between Government and the Third Sector.
Continue readingCornell explores how we can build an environmental human rights-based culture
Continue readingLouise Coupland, Digital Health and Social Care Programme Manager shares her opinions on the national roll out of MyCare.scot.
Continue readingChris Mackie, Director of Digital, looks back at how ALISS has developed, grown, and innovated over time.
Continue readingCrohn’s and Colitis care in Scotland is at a pivotal moment. Urgent action is needed to tackle delays and poor access to vital services
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Lewis Shaw reflects on the importance of rehabilitation support.
Continue readingIsabella Goldie of Deafblind Scotland reflects on the value of partnership work.
Continue readingFind out more about the inaugural Power of Attorney Day taking place on 22 April 2026.
Continue readingDr Hannah Tweed reflects on 20 years of the Scottish Sensory Hub, the important work they do and why it matters.
Continue readingAs part of our 20 year anniversary, Kerry shares her reflections on how far the ALLIANCE has come, our achievements, and our impact.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on 20 years since Scotland moved to put children at the centre of policy.
Continue readingCancer care in Scotland is at a critical moment. Macmillan is calling for urgent action ahead of the parliamentary elections in May
Continue readingMhairi Campbell reflects on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) not being recognised as having a severe impact on life.
Continue readingLucy Mulvagh shares how she used the Centre for Public Policy Practice Fellowship to examine prevention and its barriers to implementation
Continue readingLaura from Perth and Kinross HSCP shares how we can celebrate World Social Work Day through the lens of 'What Matters To You?'.
Continue readingReflections on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education) Bill
Continue readingLouise Hall from Pain Association Scotland reflects on the event she delivered as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingAct Now for Autistic Rights calls for a transformative Bill for autistic and neurodiverse communities
Continue readingIn the next decade, the role of digital in health and social care must embed our digital human rights principles to reduce inequalities.
Continue readingRead some reflections from ALLIANCE colleagues, who had the opportunity to sponsor and attend Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference.
Continue reading