Walking for Alzheimer's

TV presenter Martin King and entrepreneur Pamela Laird have issued a rallying call for the Virtual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk to raise awareness and funds for dementia support. 

Virgin Media TV presenter Martin King and beauty expert and entrepreneur Pamela Laird are urging the public to make every step count for the second successive Virtual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk taking place nationwide this September. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) is hoping that 5,000 walkers across Ireland will help raise €250,000 for vital services that are helping to support so many people with dementia and their family carers across Ireland. 

Martin King shared his family connection with dementia in a moving documentary about his mother, Christina, who was diagnosed with dementia and passed away in 2019. 

 “I am delighted to be a part of Alzheimer’s Memory Walk this year – it’s a terrific way to raise awareness and raise vital funds for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland during World Alzheimer’s Month in September. 

Through my own mother’s journey with dementia I got a look at how tough it can be for families and they really need so much support”, Martin says.

“ My Mam Christina was a beautiful soul, she was very caring and loving. She was a great mam and a great grand-mam and then dementia came knocking at the door and she was in denial because she was afraid”, he explains. 

“Dementia and Alzheimer’s are called the long goodbye for a reason. You can’t stop it as it’s happening and it’s emotionally very painful to go through. There’s a terrible stigma that goes with dementia as well and that’s why it was great to do the ‘We Need to Talk About Dementia’ documentary and the Donate for Dementia Week on Virgin Media to raise much-needed awareness around the country and Alzheimer’s Memory Walk now is another way to do this”, he says.

Pamela Laird is an ambassador for the ASI and has also shared her family connection with dementia as her father, Sylvester, was diagnosed in 2016. The Dublin-based entrepreneur has said while the family started noticing changes with her father as far back as 2010, the dementia diagnosis was still very challenging for them all to deal with – especially with the pandemic. The former Dragons Den and the BBC’s Apprentice contestant wants to put a spotlight on dementia during World Alzheimer’s Month and encourage others to reach out for support. Pamela is doing the walk with her mam Yvonne and her Chihuahua, Tallulah, and wants others to do the same.

Pamela says that families who have just received news of a loved one who has early onset Dementia or Alzheimer’s would benefit from doing a course to become more informed.  “I think this would be the best advice and I only wish my mum had done one sooner. I think the natural instinct is to become withdrawn and insular because it can feel like no one could possibly help.  When in fact the support alone is what’s needed and just a group of people who understand and can empathise with you is really important. That network of support is essential after the shock of a diagnosis” she said.

There are some common misconceptions about people with Alzheimer’s, says Pamela. “ I think that they forget who you are, that’s not necessarily true.  It can affect people so differently, for example it was my dad's balance and mobility that we first noticed. And to this day I’m so lucky he knows who I am and who my immediate family is.  

Pamela also believes that it is possible to care for someone at home.  “We have dad at home and honestly I think he thrives because of it and the routine he’s always had. That won’t be possible for everyone but my mum gave up work to be his full time carer.  With a few adjustments to the home overtime as his condition deteriorates, we hope to have him home as long as possible.”

There is sometimes a reluctance for families to be open about loved ones suffering with Dementia and Alzheimer’s and that’s understandable, she says. 

“It’s a vulnerability and also there’s an element of protection for the person who has dementia.  The thought is that they wouldn’t want people to see them deteriorating and having difficulty.  I think the more open and the more conversations we can have about the disease the more open people will be.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to say or do when someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia forgets significant events or names. “I’ve learnt not to challenge mistaken memories or correct errors, it’s confusing as it is for my dad”, Pamela says. 

My dog died two years ago and we got another dog Tallulah, as he was so stressed that she was gone, he still calls her Bambi and we don’t correct him.”

The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, supported by Iceland,  is on Sunday, September 19. Walk on your own, with your household or your pet dog. It’s up to you where you walk, whether it’s around the back garden or the local park. Visit memorywalk.ie for more and alzheimer.ie for information and supports.