Dementia Action Week

"I feel so lucky to have the day centre"

Christine Forskitt’s husband David is 82 years old and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease four years ago, but she says it is easy to see in hindsight that he had been having difficulties for a while. “We were very happy together but were the sort of couple that always had our own hobbies and interests. We were not Howard and Hilda,” says Christine. “So it has been quite a change for us to have to spend all our time together.”

Covid and the lockdown changed things dramatically for 78 year old Christine. “You felt very cut off and isolated. Even though I have a son and daughter living in Northampton, we weren’t able to see them for such a long time. It has been very difficult.  My daughter-in-law suggested we contact Age UK Northamptonshire because she knew about the day centre. Things had become hard to manage and I needed a regular break. David enjoys coming here and always smiles when I ask if he’s had a good time. He can’t remember what he’s done, or what he had for lunch, but he has never once said he didn’t want to go.

I feel so sad I have lost the real David. Sometimes I look at David and don’t recognise my husband of nearly 60 years. When I feel bogged down I have to remember all the wonderful things David has done over the years, the happy memories I have of him as a father and grandfather, as well as a husband, even fairly recently.

I feel so lucky to have the day centre. It brings benefits for both of us. He enjoys going three days a week and always feels happier after he’s been. Now that his condition is deteriorating he’s not able to do very much on the days that he’s not at the day centre. He gets very tired after even a short walk. I am so grateful and glad to do anything I can to help Age UK Northamptonshire.”

Look out for our information stand in Corby, Oundle, Brackley and Daventry libraries during the week.