But that’s not always the case.

In this episode, I talk about how 111 acts as a triage service, helping direct you to the right care, whether that’s urgent support, a GP, or something you might not even realise exists.

This episode could really help someone—especially if you’re supporting a loved one with dementia

We cover:

• How 111 can assess and guide you to the most appropriate care
• Why it’s not always a case of “call 111, then go to A&E”
• How you may be referred back to your GP with a guaranteed appointment
• And in some cases, how care can even be provided in your own home for certain conditions

For someone living with dementia, A&E can be a very distressing and overwhelming environment—long waits, unfamiliar surroundings, and lots of noise and activity.

Our health service does have options that, in the right situations, may be a better fit, supporting people to remain in familiar surroundings, with the person they trust, and avoiding unnecessary waiting and queues.

This isn’t about avoiding hospital when it’s needed. It’s about understanding the system a bit better, and knowing what support might be available to help you get the right care for your condition.

By understanding what options may be available, we can have those conversations with the 111 team and see what the best option is for our loved one.

When my mum, who has dementia, became short of breath with a rattling chest, I called NHS 111.

Within a short time, a GP called me back, and later that same day, yes, on a Sunday, another GP came out to see her at home.

Thanks to a few simple devices I already had, an oxygen monitor, thermometer, and blood pressure machine, I was able to share my mum’s vital signs over the phone.

Once the GP listened to her chest, she prescribed antibiotics, which were sent directly to an out-of-hours pharmacy open until 10:30 that night.

Keeping someone with dementia at home, in their familiar surroundings, is so important — and having the right tools can make all the difference.

I've spent over a decade caring for both my parents through their dementia journeys, and I open up about the “pressure valve” moments that every carer faces — those points when the emotional weight feels unbearable and you wonder how much more you can take.

In this honest and comforting conversation, I shares how to:

• Recognize the signs that you’re nearing burnout
• Release the emotional pressure safely — without guilt or shame
• Reconnect with yourself while still showing up with love and compassion
• Understand that every person and challenge you meet along the way has a purpose

You’ll come away feeling seen, supported, and understood — with fresh perspective and gentle tools to help you breathe again, find peace in the chaos, and see your caregiving journey as a space for personal growth rather than just survival.

Press play to learn how to release the pressure before it breaks you — and discover that even in the hardest moments, there’s still room for peace, purpose, and you.

When you’re ready, take the first step toward releasing the pressure and rediscovering yourself — learn more about working with me here,

In this gentle episode of My Dementia Roadtrip, Angela shares how “going with the flow” can ease anxiety and help you find peace in caring. You’ll learn what it means to live in your loved one’s world, let go of resistance, and show yourself the same kindness you give to them.

This might be your first small step toward feeling calmer, more confident, and less alone on your journey.

If you’d like personalised support, Angela can work with you in one-to-one sessions and there will shortly be a guided course to help carers find their footing with compassion and practical tools.

Visit mydementiaroadtrip.com to start your journey to rebuild you today.

In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my own experience and the tender ways we can help with oral care while showing love, patience, and understanding.

This is for anyone walking the carer journey, this is a heartfelt reminder, that you’re not alone, and that love always matters more than perfection.

Press play and feel understood, encouraged, and connected.

Trigger warning - references to Overdose in this episode - Medication Overdose and Dementia

It happened in our family too

In this episode of My Dementia Roadtrip, I share:

• Why medication mistakes and overdoses happen in dementia
• The real risks — and why this is not your fault
• Why some strategies only work in the mild stages of dementia
• The phases of dementia and ways to support medication at each of these stages
• Why it’s completely normal for those same strategies to stop working as dementia progresses — and what to do instead
• Practical next steps and adaptations you can take to keep them safe
• What we did when it happened
• A reminder of hope and grace for carers who feel they’ve failed

Whether you’re in the middle of this right now, or simply want to be prepared, this episode will give you reassurance and practical tools to keep your loved one safe — and remind you that you are not alone on this journey.

You can download my guide to Medication Overdose In Dementia Prevention here

What You'll Learn From This Episode

1. Why people with Alzheimer’s and dementia may resist showering or bathing.
2. How skin sensitivity, fear, and anxiety play a role in bathing resistance.
3. Practical alternatives carers can use to keep loved ones clean and comfortable.

This is a quiet, honest ramble from one unpaid carer to another.

People who aren’t in this position often try to help—but they don’t really understand what it’s like. They offer advice, but it can feel disconnected or unhelpful. In this episode, I talk about:

• Why well-meaning advice can still miss the point
• The emotional and invisible weight of unpaid caring
• The loss of shared understanding and how isolating that can feel
• The need to find someone who truly sees you — not just what you do, but what you feel

If you're caring for someone with dementia, especially a parent, this episode is for you. You're not alone — even when it feels like it.

💬 Need someone to talk to?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or on the edge of burnout, I offer 1-to-1 support sessions for unpaid carers.

I’ll listen — really listen — and help you find ways to rebuild your life, set boundaries, and avoid carer burnout.

👉 You Can Book A Confidential Carer Support Hour With Me

In this episode, you’ll learn how to help your loved one with Alzheimer’s accept home care — without arguments, guilt, or damaging your relationship.

I'll cover:

• Why people with Alzheimer’s refuse carers or home care — and what they’re really feeling
• How to introduce the idea of home care in a way that feels safe and supportive
• Phrases and approaches that reduce resistance and conflict
• Common mistakes families make when suggesting carers — and how to avoid them
• How to care for yourself while navigating this challenging stage

✨ By the end, you’ll have practical, compassionate strategies to help your loved one accept the care they need — and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.

In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of sundowning, a common but often distressing pattern of increased confusion, agitation, or anxiety in people living with dementia as the day draws to a close.

We’ll talk about:

✅ Why sundowning happens

✅ Signs and symptoms carers should look out for

✅ Practical strategies carers can use to help their loved one feel calmer and safer in the evenings

✅ How planning ahead can ease your stress as a carer

I also explain the Herbert Protocol — a simple but vital tool to have ready in case someone you care for ever goes missing. You can learn more about the Herbert Protocol and download the form from your local police force’s website. For UK listeners, you can find it at:

🔗 www.met.police.uk/herbertprotocol

And remember: you don’t have to do this alone. If you’d like 1:1 support tailored to your situation, you can book a Guided Care Hour with me to talk through your challenges and develop a plan that works for you and your loved one.

👉 Book your Guided Care Hour here:

https://mydementiaroadtrip.com/bookappointment

Thank you for tuning in — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Having a plan in place gives us peace of mind.

We’ll explore:

• The essential elements of an emergency care plan
• How to prepare a carer backup plan in case you’re unavailable
• Which professionals, services, and family members should be contacted — and who should not
• Tips for making your emergency plan simple, clear, and accessible
• Free Emergency Planning Document to help you get started

Here's the link for your own copy here - Emergency Planning Document

Whether you're supporting someone newly diagnosed or caring for a loved one in advanced stages of dementia, this episode gives you practical and compassionate advice for peace of mind.

I share my personal, non-medical insights from caring for both my parents who lived with dementia.

There are often dramatic and often surprising changes in taste, appetite, and eating habits that can occur as dementia progresses, and I provide practical, compassionate advice on how to adapt, which has worked for us

Download your Accompanying Guide here

and let's make sure you receive all the tips, guide and information that I share.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

🧠 Brain and Taste Changes:

• Dementia causes real neurological changes that impact taste and appetite.
• Some people reverse lifelong food preferences (e.g., savory to sweet or vice versa).
• These shifts are not preferences, but loss of taste sensitivity, especially for subtle flavors.

🍽️ Food Strategies:

• What food to focus on

🕒 Timing & Eating Patterns:

• Traditional mealtimes may no longer apply. How to support this

💧 Hydration Tips:

• Many with dementia stop drinking familiar drinks, what to change to

💡 Important - Their Mindset:

• Their mental exhaustion is real – even if physically inactive, their brain is running a “mental marathon.” How to understand this

🧃 Medical Support

• Ask GPs about prescription drinks
• Speak to your GP before you make any dietary changes if your Loved one has Diabetes

❤️ Angela’s Message:

Adapt. Be patient. Stay kind. Support your loved one by becoming a “food detective” – experimenting with what works, accepting changes without judgment, and focusing on what gets calories in, not what’s on the healthy eating list.

You’ll learn:

• The go-to meat (and how to keep it moist and tender)
• How changing taste and texture preferences affect food choices in dementia
• Ways to pack in calories and nutrition with roast potatoes, sweet veg, and creamy desserts
• How to make homemade gravy into a nutrient powerhouse
• Tips for small portions with big flavor — and how to avoid common mealtime pitfalls

I also open up about the trial and error involved as we learn how to adapt in the kitchen, sharing real examples of what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in my kitchen.

Whether you’re a carer, family member, or just trying to support a loved one better at mealtimes, this episode is my honest guide full of simple but powerful food adaptations — all grounded in love, tradition, and nutritional care.

🧡 "Every mouthful matters. Let’s make them count."

In this episode, I share a personal experience of how I connected with my Dad one who had advanced dementia.

Even though words were no longer possible for him, a simple wink became a powerful way to communicate.

I talk about how carers can reach out beyond words, using kindness and patience to create moments of connection.

This episode is all about finding those small, meaningful ways to stay connected, even when silence feels like the only language left.

In today’s deeply personal episode, Angela shares a small but meaningful stop along her dementia carer journey, a pause for coffee, and a pause for herself.

When you’re caring for someone with dementia, it’s easy to forget where you end and the caregiving begins. Life moves in loops of responsibility, and we often run on subconscious autopilot. But today, Angela gently challenges that rhythm, choosing presence over pressure.

From the driver’s seat of her roadtrip, she reflects on:

• 🧠 The emotional toll of dementia careers

• ☕ The quiet magic of a coffee break, alone

• 🛑 Interrupting our normal subconscious "carer autopilot"

• ❤️ The quiet power of choosing yourself, even for a few minutes

This episode is an invitation—to breathe, to reflect, and to remember that you deserve care too.

💬 Let's Stay Connected:

• Instagram: @mydementiaroadtrip
• Facebook: My Dementia Roadtrip Community
• Website: www.mydementiaroadtrip.com

💛 If this episode resonated with you...

Please consider leaving a review or sharing it with a fellow caregiver. Your story matters, and every listen helps others feel less alone.

Want something to help you create those moments for you to stop and value you? Here's a valuable resource that you can use every day... Check back later today for the link!

Drawing from my personal experience, caring for both of my parents who have dementia, I explore, what this phrase often really means and why traditional responses may not be effective.

Key Points Discussed:

The Deeper Meaning Behind "I Want to Go Home": I unpack what this phrase often signifies beyond the literal interpretation.

Why Correcting Isn’t the Answer: Discuss why the instinct to correct or educate can sometimes be counterproductive in dementia situations.

Adapting Our Reactions: Learn about the importance of shifting our approach to better support your loved one’s emotional needs.

Personal Stories and Insights: I share my own real-life examples and insights from my decade-long journey as a carer.

If you've ever struggled with how to respond when your loved one with dementia asks to go home, this episode offers valuable perspectives and tips that can make a real difference in how you handle these situations.

I offer practical insights, designed to help you navigate these tough moments with greater ease and understanding.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to approach this sensitive topic and to learn strategies that could improve the quality of life for both you, and your loved one.

Connect with me at www.mydementiaroadtrip.co.uk  and follow My Dementia Road Trip on for more tips, resources, and support.

Sometimes, we need to talk through a situation to be able to work through it, if this is something you would like, you can contact me and book time with me. We have a special carers community coming very soon, this is all on the website.  

I've learned to embrace empathy and patience in my carers journey. Please remember, that although we may feel alone, we're not, there are lots of people going through exactly what we are going through every day.

By sharing my experiences, I hope to offer support and comfort to you as we navigate similar challenges.

Episode Title: Navigating Walking Challenges in Alzheimer's and Dementia

Host: Angela, caregiver for both parents with Alzheimer's and dementia

Summary:

In this episode, Angela delves into a specific challenge faced by individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia—walking issues related to visual perception. Drawing from her personal experience caring for her parents, Angela shares the difficulties and solutions she has encountered in managing these walking fears.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction to Walking Issues:

• Angela introduces the topic of walking issues in Alzheimer's dementia, particularly the fear of the ground.
• Common perceptions include shiny floors appearing as water, dark rugs as voids, and patterned surfaces as moving entities.

1. Personal Experience with Visual Perception Challenges:

• Angela describes her personal experiences with her mother’s fear of the staircase in their old property.
• The challenge of curved stairs and how it causes her mother to become petrified.

1. Strategies and Solutions Tried:

• The use of hazard tape to outline the edges of stairs, which unfortunately did not work.
• Consideration of stair lifts, acknowledging the limitations due to the age and design of their staircase.
• Physical assistance, such as carrying her mother down the stairs or guiding her step by step.

1. Adapting to the Environment:

• Suggestions to cover problematic flooring with solid-colored, pattern-free carpets to mitigate visual confusion.
• Angela shares her approach of accompanying her mother down the stairs to provide reassurance.

1. Understanding and Reassurance:

• Emphasis on understanding the perspective of those with Alzheimer's and dementia.
• Angela’s message to caregivers: accept the fears as real, provide reassurance, and adapt to the needs of those in their care.

1. Final Thoughts and Encouragement:

• Angela encourages other caregivers, acknowledging the challenges but also highlighting the importance of patience and adaptation.
• Reiteration of the importance of getting into the mindset of those with Alzheimer's to alleviate stress for both the patient and caregiver.

Conclusion:

Angela wraps up the episode by emphasizing that the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer's and dementia requires ongoing adaptation and reassurance. She encourages listeners to stay strong and compassionate, reminding them that their efforts are invaluable.

Takeaway Message:

Understand the fears experienced by those with Alzheimer's as real, provide constant reassurance, and adapt your strategies to ensure a safer and less stressful environment for them.

Contact Information:

• Host: Angela from My Dementia Road Trip
• Website: www.mydementiaroadtrip.com
• Email: angela@mydementiaroadtrip.co.uk

Additional Resources:

• Articles and books on managing Alzheimer's and dementia
• Support groups for caregivers
• Tips for creating a dementia-friendly home environment

In this podcast, I share how a conversation about a Dementia Review brought me to tears.

Don't sit there in silence, as I do believe that there may be hope to getting help for us now were in post covid days.

Here's to you and the amazing person that you are, doing an amazing job and being truly incredible.

If this Podcast, I share my own personal experience of Christmas and the missing Christmas cards.

it's a very emotional time of year and whether you're a carer, or know of a carer, this podcast is for you.

Till next time

Angela

xxx

I will be sharing some of my experiences, caring for 2 parents who both have Alzheimers / Dementia.

I have been caring for and supporting both of my parents from 165 miles away, so I do appreciate how difficult it can be explaining how to use a remote control over the telephone!

This has caused me lots of anxious times in trying my best to support them.

I also wanted to share my experiences to help others who are on this journey too.

It's a journey that none of us want to be on, however we find ourselves on this journey and it's a journey that we are doing our absolute best on.

Huge hugs and you're doing great!

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