"Caring for Mum and Dad drove me to breaking point" | Chris's story

Over the span of a decade, Chris cared for his parents, who both had dementia.An only child with very little extended family, Chris assumed the role of primary carer without much discussion. He juggled parenting his own son, working full-time in the emergency services, and his caregiving role. And eventually, he reached breaking point.In this episode, he talks about the constant battle with a system that was supposed to support him, and the importance of looking after yourself as a carer. Further resources:Find out more about Dementia UK and the life-changing support of Admiral Nurses  Learn more about how dementia can affect relationships and roles Discover ways you can look after yourself as a carer Learn more about financial and legal support Read personal stories from people living with a diagnosis, their family members and friends  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

We're a British Podcast Award 2025 finalist!One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime – whether by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Yet too often, the voices of people who are facing the many complex challenges of dementia go unheard.Presented by award-winning journalist, editor, podcaster and Dementia UK Ambassador Marianne Jones, Dementia UK’s podcast, ‘My life with dementia’, takes listeners on a personal journey through the world of dementia, as told by people who have experienced it themselves. People living with the diagnosis. People who have found themselves in a caring role they never expected. And people who are grieving a loved one.Through their stories, and with practical advice from our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, we gain a deeper understanding of the condition from multiple perspectives – as well as invaluable insights, empathy and hope.This series was produced by Arlie Adlington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.