Merry Maids Forget Me Knot 2024: Bernie’s Story
Bernie from Merry Maids Fylde and Blackpool shares her experience living with dementia.
At Merry Maids UK, our teams nationwide are undertaking our second annual Forget Me Knot Challenge as part of our partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.
This is a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK run, walk, or cycle the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business, tying them together and raising funds for Dementia Friends/ Alzheimer’s Society: creating the Forget Me Knot.
Last year, as part of the challenge, we shared the story of Bernie from Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston, whose grandfather and father-in-law were both living with the disease.
We are sorry to say that in the year since this story was originally posted, Bernie’s grandfather has passed away.
However, Bernie has permitted us to keep sharing her story to raise awareness of the reality of living with dementia.
This is her story.
Bernie’s Story
In a video for our YouTube channel, Bernie shared her experience with dementia, at a time when her grandfather had the disease, and her father-in-law had begun to show early signs.
“My grandad, he’s 92 and he’s had memory loss for quite a few years now,” she said.
“But recently, he’s gotten a lot worse. He’s now forgetting who we all are which is sad. He doesn’t recognise us, so he’s quite confused and it’s taking a toll on the whole family because we don’t see the Grandad that we’re all used to.”
She describes the loss of the man she knew, due to the disease.
“He’s become a different person now.”
“My father-in-law, he’s showing signs of dementia. His is slightly different. He still recognises everybody, but he forgets things a lot more now like how to send a text message or why he went into the kitchen.”
Dementia Research
As a family member of someone living with dementia, Bernie is a strong advocate for the research that organisations like Alzheimer’s Society do to help understand dementia.
They are there to support and inform members of the public about Alzheimer’s and its varying forms so that we can all be prepared should we encounter the disease.
Dementia Advisers from Alzheimer’s Society provide critical support to people throughout their experiences with dementia, allowing people living with the condition and their carers to access expert support.
Our support means they can invest in ground-breaking research into better ways of treating and caring for people with dementia.
Dementia Friends, as a subset of Alzheimer’s Society, trains people and businesses like ours to interact with people with dementia.
At Merry Maids UK, we often serve members of the public living with dementia and ensure that through Dementia Friends, our staff are trained to provide care and support while cleaning their homes – as they often cannot do it for themselves.
Whether making them a cup of tea or being a friendly and recognisable face, there are many ways to be there for those who need it.
Supporting Alzheimer’s Society
The Merry Maids UK Forget Me Knot challenge will continue to run throughout the summer months – with our teams nationwide getting involved in the virtual relay.
You can support our teams by sponsoring us in this endeavour via donations to our JustGiving page.
All proceeds will be donated to Alzheimer’s Society.
Or you can become a Dementia Friend today, either online or through a more comprehensive and in-person training session.
Need a dementia-friendly cleaner?
If you or a loved one knows someone who is struggling with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or booking online today.
