Written by SASP
Active Communities - Bob and Ann's story
I am the carer of my wife Ann who has Vascular Dementia. Ann's problems started in 2014, small inconsistencies, like giving birthday gifts of £20 to one grandchild and a couple of weeks later £10 to another, I then decided to see a doctor for tests. Ann was diagnosed last December. She was placed on Donepezil which had an immediate improvement. Since then, things gradually deteriorate bit by bit. Time is the main problem; she has no idea of which month, day and hour it is.
We first came across the Boccia sessions that SASP were starting at our local Alzheimer's meeting. Jen and Laura ran a taster session for us to try in an environment that we are familiar with and comfortable in which I think really helped to get people having a go. I had seen Boccia on television but never played it and both Ann and I thought it was good fun. Laura and Jen were very friendly, encouraging and helpful, all in all we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Results
We started going along to the Boccia sessions at Kings down and were joined by others from the Alzheimer's group. For me the sessions are a godsend, I am able to meet fellow carers in the same situation as me and we in turn relieve some pressure for one another for that short period of time each week.
Ann looks forward to going to Boccia every week to play, not just to play but talking to others, the fun competition the game and the group bring, but most importantly to meet other friendly people.
Since starting the Boccia group with Laura, we have progressed on to playing Boccia twice a week and playing short mat bowls. I now also play in the walking football group that Laura also runs once a week. I haven't got round to persuading Ann to come along to football yet, but perhaps when the better weather comes around again!