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My Dad was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia when he was 80 when the family noticed that he wasn't his usual self and his speech was becoming slurred.  It was a shock to us and we didn't really understand what the Consultant meant when he said there would come a time when my mum wouldn't be able to continue to look after him herself.  We just thought he was exaggerating as his symptoms then were mild.  

Unfortunately over the next 3 years his symptoms did worsen and he lost the ability to speak which was extremely frustrating for him.    It was heartbreaking to watch my parents who loved eachother dearly struggle day to day.  Dad had a series of falls which finally led to the decision that he should go into a care home as mum was unable to cope with the physical side of caring for him particularly when he fell.

Unfortunately Dad only lasted 13 weeks from the time he went into the care home and died on New Years Eve 2006.  My mother took this badly and even now feels guilty that he did not spend these last weeks at home with her but this was just not possible.

My mother-in-law was also diagnosed with Vascular Dementia a few years ago and spent over 2 years in a care home, happy and well cared for, until she died last month.  The family spent the last 8 weeks at her bedside watching her slip away.

The family have decided to take part in the Memory Walk for both my Dad Bert Rushmer, and my mother-in-law Theresa Wakeling and need your support.

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