Man Advocates for Better Support for Families of Young-Onset Dementia Patients
Jayne’s Shocking Diagnosis and Heartbreaking Journey
Clive Downing, a 61-year-old man, was devastated when his wife, Jayne, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the young age of 52 in 2015.
Jayne, who worked as a support worker, had shown signs of memory loss before her diagnosis, but she was in denial about her condition.
As time passed, Alzheimer’s slowly took away Jayne’s abilities, and she required almost constant care.
She eventually moved to a care home and then a second one, where she passed away at the age of 59 on June 30, 2023.
Tragically, Jayne was unaware that her daughter, Faye, had died of breast cancer on August 20, 2022, due to the advanced stage of her dementia.
Raising Awareness for Young-Onset Dementia
Heartbroken after losing both his daughter and his wife, Clive has become a passionate advocate for raising awareness of young-onset dementia and supporting families affected by the disease.
He has raised over £25,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society through various fundraising events, including marathons.
Clive believes there should be more support and resources available for people with young-onset dementia and their families.
Young-onset dementia affects individuals before the age of 65, and over 70,800 people in the UK live with this condition.
The Devastating Impact of Alzheimer’s
Jayne’s diagnosis came as a shock to Clive, as he was unaware that younger individuals could develop Alzheimer’s.
Initially, Jayne continued her daily activities, but over time, she struggled with simple tasks and eventually lost her mobility, speech, and continence.
Clive and their daughters worked together to care for Jayne, but the demands became overwhelming, and they sought help from carers.
Despite their best efforts, Clive had to move Jayne to a care home when her condition worsened.
A Ray of Light in Tough Times
During these challenging times, Clive found solace in running, which became a lifeline for him.
He joined a local running club and has used various fundraising challenges to support Alzheimer’s research.
Despite the heartbreaking loss of his wife and daughter, Clive now hopes to spend more quality time with his grandchildren and has recently welcomed a new dog named Billy into his life.
His determination to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s remains strong, with the hope that his efforts may help others in the future.
A Plea for More Support
As Clive faces the grief and challenges brought on by young-onset dementia, he advocates for better support systems for those affected.
He believes that families and carers need more resources and assistance to navigate the complexities of the disease.
Clive acknowledges the immense support he received from his daughter, Hannah, during his difficult journey and emphasizes the importance of understanding and assistance for families facing similar struggles.
Clive’s mission is to create more awareness and ensure that no one faces young-onset dementia alone.
Supporting Clive’s Cause
To support Clive’s fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Society, you can visit his fundraising page at justgiving.com/fundraising/clive-downing.
Together, we can work towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and providing better support for families affected by this devastating disease.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Society and its Memory Walk, you can visit alzheimers.org.uk/memorywalk.
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