(05/03) Re.: My Account of when my Grandad developed Alzheimer’s

I remember my Grandad, smoking a pipe, with the most carefree relaxed attitude, sketchbook in lap and always by the sea. Though we didn’t live close, us in Chester, them in Newcastle, Whitley bay, we would visit regularly, doing the 3hr drive.

I wouldn't say I was particularly close to my Grandad but art gave us something to bond over and he always showed an interest in whatever I was doing. He carved and painted and sketched well to the end of his life. Looking at his drawings now you can't tell when he got the disease, nor when it took effect.

I can't say I recall much from my Mum, his daughter, telling me he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, only the explanation of why we now needed to put post it notes on all the cupboards, I must have been around 10. Also that he had moved in with my Uncle Paul and Auntie Lesley, his daughter and son in-law, months before the diagnosis.

Looking back at it now with contextual research behind me, it must have been difficult for him moving into a new environment when he is beginning to experience memory loss. Also with Alzheimers it is the recent memories you loose first, so he may have much more easily lost his bearings.