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• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 50 >> Believes that he found it easier to cope because he already had some experience of dementia in the family.

Developed symptoms in her sixties and guessed herself what it was. Dementia progressed but Alzheimers was never actually confirmed. Separation difficulties with day care but easy transfer to residential care. Was treated with tegretol because she developed epilepsy.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Men caring for partners >> Interview 07 >> His information needs changed over time - from physiological and psychological explanations to how to manage the caring role.

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 23 >> Felt that the role of carer crept up on her without her making any conscious decision to do it.

Has been able to cope with caring for him at home. He attends a day centre and he has regular respite care. Doesn't feel ready to consider full time residential care for him but has felt it necessary to look out for homes which might be suitable.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 04 >> She and her sister tried to make arrangements for their mother to ensure that she got proper meals.

Distance care difficult as mother refused to accept help. Difficulty communicating with social services. Had to apply for a Court of Protection order to control her finances. Problems finding a suitable nursing home. She twice escaped.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Caring for parents >> Interview 29 >> After their mother went missing he and his sister realised she could no longer live alone.

His 65 year old mother had lived alone but consented to come and live with him. After a few months he realised he could not care for her adequately while continuing to work and she went into residential care.

• Nerves & brain >> Carers of people with dementia >> Women caring for partners >> Interview 16 >> Describes feeling dropped into thin air after the diagnosis - hospital test results were provided by letter but seemed irrelevant to her most pressing

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.