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• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Women caring for partners >> Interview 42 >> Early symptoms masqueraded as depression.

Became ill in his 50's. Suspected his own diagnosis but was told it was depression. Lived alone and attended day hospital for a year. Then in sheltered accommodation. Finally had to be sectioned and was in psychiatric hospital. Transferred to EMI home, still on Section 3, died 18 months later.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 09 >> Noticed that her mother was becoming more difficult.

Her mother, a strong minded widow, bitterly resisted surrendering her freedom and finally had to be sectioned before being transferred to residential care. She died recently twenty years after the first signs of her dementia, in a nursing home.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 07 >> Describes warning signs and his wife's reluctance to find out what was wrong.

Gradual onset mistaken for depression. Diagnosis given jointly to husband and wife. Slow progression. Problem with restlessness and wandering. Very involved with the local Alzheimers disease society. He tries to involve her in decisions where possible. Initially prescribed antidepressants later given trial of Reminyl. Later benifited from sedatives and sleeping tablets.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Women caring for partners >> Interview 16 >> Diagnosis was missed for two years when he was thought to be suffering from depression.

He was cared for at home for 7 years. When things got really difficult he spent 18 months in residential care after which his wife was able to bring him home again with the additional support of either a live-in carer, or two live-in carers in rotation - working alternate weeks.