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Dementia series | |
(35 minutes later) | |
BBC News Northern Ireland is looking at the issue of dementia this week: our health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly tells her personal story of her grandmother's battle with the illness. | BBC News Northern Ireland is looking at the issue of dementia this week: our health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly tells her personal story of her grandmother's battle with the illness. |
In the years before her illness, Sadie's hair was always perfect. A traditional "set" that was naturally silver in colour. Her complexion was silky, there was a hint of pink about her cheeks. | In the years before her illness, Sadie's hair was always perfect. A traditional "set" that was naturally silver in colour. Her complexion was silky, there was a hint of pink about her cheeks. |
Sadie loved jewellery, especially earrings and pearls. Her twin sets were immaculate as were her matching handbags and shoes. Small in stature, she enjoyed the odd glass of Guinness or a sherry. | Sadie loved jewellery, especially earrings and pearls. Her twin sets were immaculate as were her matching handbags and shoes. Small in stature, she enjoyed the odd glass of Guinness or a sherry. |
Living in the shadow of Clonard monastery on the Falls Road in Belfast, Sadie was active and a social butterfly. But in 1972, her husband Joe took a sudden heart attack and died. Afterwards, the light went out in Sadie's eyes. | Living in the shadow of Clonard monastery on the Falls Road in Belfast, Sadie was active and a social butterfly. But in 1972, her husband Joe took a sudden heart attack and died. Afterwards, the light went out in Sadie's eyes. |
Several years later Sadie, the woman I called granny, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. | Several years later Sadie, the woman I called granny, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. |
So far, she's the only person I have personally known with the disease. But I can distinctly remember her slow decline and the horrendous impact it had on my own mother. | So far, she's the only person I have personally known with the disease. But I can distinctly remember her slow decline and the horrendous impact it had on my own mother. |
Hidden | Hidden |
When I was younger, my granny looked after us on a Friday. We usually had baked apple cakes or her favourite, currant squares. | When I was younger, my granny looked after us on a Friday. We usually had baked apple cakes or her favourite, currant squares. |
Sometimes she was able to make lunch and dinner but other times she forgot. | Sometimes she was able to make lunch and dinner but other times she forgot. |
We noticed she left pots on the stove without turning the ring off. | We noticed she left pots on the stove without turning the ring off. |
Losing her handbag and purse were regular occurrences. | Losing her handbag and purse were regular occurrences. |
After collecting her pension, there was always the weekly trauma of remembering where she had left or hidden it. | After collecting her pension, there was always the weekly trauma of remembering where she had left or hidden it. |
In the 1980s, it was extremely difficult to get a diagnosis for dementia or Alzheimer's. Her family made regular trips to the GP with her. Initially, doctors said she was just a little forgetful and not to worry. | In the 1980s, it was extremely difficult to get a diagnosis for dementia or Alzheimer's. Her family made regular trips to the GP with her. Initially, doctors said she was just a little forgetful and not to worry. |
Eventually Sadie began to wander from home, then one day she forgot who we were. | Eventually Sadie began to wander from home, then one day she forgot who we were. |
My granny spent the next 14 years living in residential then nursing care. | My granny spent the next 14 years living in residential then nursing care. |
Sadie passed away in 2006. While it was her heart that gave way in the end, she had been ill for over 25 years with dementia. | Sadie passed away in 2006. While it was her heart that gave way in the end, she had been ill for over 25 years with dementia. |
There are 19,000 people like Sadie currently living in Northern Ireland. | There are 19,000 people like Sadie currently living in Northern Ireland. |
Memories of my granny are still vivid. I tend to think of the happy times when she would let me play with her box of jewellery or re-arrange the many ornaments and pictures she had on her sideboard. | Memories of my granny are still vivid. I tend to think of the happy times when she would let me play with her box of jewellery or re-arrange the many ornaments and pictures she had on her sideboard. |
Even in her dementia she was never short of a quick retort, which often left us wondering who was fooling whom. | Even in her dementia she was never short of a quick retort, which often left us wondering who was fooling whom. |
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