Beth's story
Beth’s beloved dad, Steve, was first diagnosed with Young Onset Frontal Variant Alzheimer’s’ in August 2023 at just 62 years old. Beth tells her family’s story.
“My dad was (and still is) my best friend. He loved rock music - Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Led Zepplin and Foo Fighters were a few of his favourites! His favourite rock club venue was ‘The Wapentake’ in Sheffield and he spent many weekends in there with my mum and used to tell me some amazing stories about it.
“Dad spent many years working as an accountant and he loved Sheffield United. We have many fond memories as a family going to watch matches in all sorts of weather. He was (and still is) a very caring man.
“We first started noticing a change in my dad in 2019. He was 58 years old. Dad was becoming more forgetful, finding tasks harder and his personality was changing. He first got referred to the memory clinic in November 2022 and was seen in July 2023.
“After a few misdiagnoses, he got referred to a psychiatrist consultant and had an MRI scan. He then got the diagnosis in August 2023 of Young Onset Frontal Variant Alzheimer’s, which is very rare, especially at the young age of 62.
“My mum had to take a few months off work to look after him as he got afraid and would leave the house, wander the streets and get lost. There were times that my dad didn’t recognise my mum. He would get frustrated and angry, and she would have to phone me at work to come home and help to calm him down.
“In October 2023, after months of hard decisions, deterioration and frustration, my mum and I had to make the heart-breaking decision to put dad into a home as he was no longer safe at home.
“He has now deteriorated a lot, needing full time care and struggling to sleep. We are very lucky to have his carers, who have become our friends and support too.
“When we see dad in his home, sometimes he gives us little signs that he is ‘still here’. He will say something about a family member or a friend. Other times he just sits in his chair, staring at things and not really saying much. He has good and bad days.
“The most challenging part is seeing my dad deteriorate before my eyes. It is true what they say, you lose them twice - first mentally and then physically later on. It breaks my heart that his ‘physically here’ self will never meet my kids, walk me down the aisle and see me do life.
“Daily it is quite hard to live life, but I have made a pact with myself to say 'yes' to everything - every plan, every concert, every potential memory. It is something that will never go away. It is a sort of grieving daily.
“I would like to say thank you to anyone raising money for dementia. I have seen first-hand how services are stretched and struggling in terms of dementia care. Any money raised will help families, carers and patients with dementia.
"If you can donate, no matter how little the amount, it will go a long way to help.”
Beth has already shown so much bravery, facing the challenges and uncertainty that comes with witnessing a loved one deteriorate with Alzheimer’s, but has decided to do something incredible and jump out of a plane to raise money for our Dementia Appeal. The appeal is close to Beth’s heart as we focus on enhancing dementia services in the Rotherham community.