A charity helping people living dementia is facing a fight for survival because of a looming cash crisis. Here, people who have been helped by BIADS tell their own stories...
By Julie Hewitt
BACK in the days of lockdown in 2020, I was living with my 15-year-old daughter.
My mum and dad were living together nearby mum had started experiencing memory issues but dad was keeping a close eye on her and we were already in contact with the memory team.
In June 2020, mum was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and started medication that really did and still does help her condition.
A few months later, in October, mum caught Covid and spent four weeks in hospital.
Soon after, dad also caught it and ended up in hospital for eight weeks.
Mum came to stay with me temporarily, just until dad recovered and they could be back together in their own home.
But dad’s condition didn’t improve as we’d hoped. Though he became medically fit for discharge, he had lost around seven stone in weight, lost muscle density in his legs, was very confused, unable to communicate, and doubly incontinent.
It quickly became clear that mum couldn’t look after him—and we had to make a big decision.
That decision was for both of them to come and live with me and my daughter for the foreseeable future.
Mum stayed in the spare room, and dad was set up in a hospital bed in the living room.
That became our new normal—and we lived like that until dad sadly passed away in July 2022.
During that time, I was lucky to be able to work from home, thanks to my employer.
But after dad’s passing, I had to return to my job in person and that left me with a dilemma. I just couldn’t leave mum at home on her own all day.
I looked into a care package carers coming in four times a day to check on her, make her a cup of tea but something about it didn’t sit right.
It wasn’t the same carers each time, and there would still be long periods where she’d be alone.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to settle while I was at work.
Then, almost by chance, I was chatting with a friend about my concerns, and she mentioned BIADS’ day care. That conversation changed everything.
I arranged a visit to see the centre, understand the services, the timings, and the costs.
From breakfast to lunch to endless cups of tea and coffee, they offer full-day or half-day care.
The daily activities are tailored for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, there’s real companionship, a chance to make new friends and most importantly a consistent team of caring, friendly, and dedicated staff.
I wanted somewhere that would care for mum the way I do and BIADS absolutely does that.
Thanks to BIADS day care, I can now work full-time knowing she is in the very best place.
She’s not only safe—she’s thriving. She absolutely loves it. She goes Monday to Friday, with Thursdays as our day together when I work from home.
The staff at BIADS day care are some of the kindest, most understanding and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Nothing is too much trouble for them.
They’ve not only helped my mum, they’ve helped me and my daughter too. I am and will be forever grateful.
By Tracy Hutchinson
MY MUM, Doreen Hutchinson, has been attending BIADS’ day care for around 18 months and it has been totally life changing for her.
Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years ago, she was prescribed medication, which has slowed the disease progression, however, she was very shy and extremely anxious.
She relied on dad and me for most things. 18 months ago, sadly, Dad passed away 10 days before their 65th wedding anniversary.
I was so worried about how Mum would cope at home alone.
She did want to stay in her bungalow, and I believed she deserved the best possible chance.
With the help of social services a care package was put in place. BIADS was recommended by a friend, so we decided that mum should try attending day care twice per week.
It has been the best service. Mum’s confidence has grown so much since she started attending.
I believe that had it not been for the day centre, Mum would have needed full-time care by now.
She looks so forward to going twice a week, and this routine is so important. The staff are absolutely fabulous and are genuinely like family to mum.
The activities she does whilst there are endless, including baking, crafting, playing games, sing-alongs, watching films even enjoying mini manicures and nail painting.
All these are brilliant for her mental health; she has really come out of her shell and started showing her fun personality again.
BIADS is such an important part of our life now and I honestly don’t know what we would do without them.’
