Navigating the Journey of Alzheimer's: A Personal Tale of Love and Resilience

Patricia Neville, a local woman known for prioritizing others, devoted her life to assisting and supporting people, whether it was her two children or accompanying her husband to mayoral events.

Mayor and Mayoress of Whitchurch -

Pat dedicated her career to supporting individuals with their daily care needs at the Bradbury Day Care Centre until she retired. After retiring, Pat and her husband Tony focused on fundraising for the centre by hosting highly successful cheese and wine evenings and selling numerous raffle tickets, often joking, "You never know, I might need the centre one day."

While attending the health and wellbeing event at the Whitchurch civic centre, Tony came up to me and mentioned that Pat was exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's. However, at this stage, she remained very independent and definitely had a clear sense of her own thoughts (even though her thoughts didn't always recognize her).

(And at the time of our conversation pat was sat selling raffle tickets to raise money for the drs surgery testament to her character)

At this point, Tony was contemplating how things would unfold and was concerned about what the future might bring, not just for Pat but for their entire family.

As Pat's needs evolved and the instruction became harder for her to grasp,

I suggested it might be time for Pat to resume her job at the Bradbury, perhaps starting with just one day a week. Pat was thrilled, feeling she had a purpose once more. She flourished by coming in, chatting, and helping with tasks like setting the tables and washing the dishes. That one day a week soon increased to three days, then five, and even some weekends at the center. Pat knew the center was her happy place; she would endlessly chat about the olden days and often tell me I was sitting in her seat!

Pat started to show more signs of deterioration when she was no longer coming to do the work she would sit in the office sometimes very reluctant to obey any instruction and get quite grouchy especially with Tony (this is not unusual for loved ones to get the brunt of mood swings)

Pat became our resident Nanny looking after the babies (dementia dolls) again a purpose a reason to be there!

Our resident Nanny on triple duty!

Life became quite challenging for Tony and the family as Pat began to refuse basic care needs and most of the support offered by Tony or their daughter Lesley. This had a significant impact on Tony's health, leading to the involvement of professional carers. Pat's dementia was eroding her ability to be the person she wanted to be, resulting in her becoming unwell and hospitalized. With further deterioration, it soon became clear that Pat would require 24-hour professional support.

The lesson here is that dementia spares no one, regardless of race, religion, status, or even a lifetime dedicated to helping others.

I am grateful that Pat was able to return to work and complete her job doing what she loved. I am thankful to her and her family for allowing us to be part of Pat's journey.

Pat now resides in Landona Care Home in WEM, where she continues to care for her baby!

Beautiful inside and out!