Does Your Parent Have a Dementia?

Finding clarity, comfort and community on the Isle of Wight

“Mum keeps losing things and seems a bit muddled.”
“Dad keeps telling me the same stories - sometimes three times in an hour.”

If these moments feel familiar, you’re not alone. When you notice memory changes in your parents it can feel frightening and you might not know where to turn, but help is closer than you think.
Whether you live in Ryde or Reading, Cowes or Cardiff, this guide will walk you through the first steps to take when you think a parent living on the Isle of Wight might have a dementia.

1. Noticing the Early Signs
Dementia isn’t one condition; it’s an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that affect memory, attention, and logical thinking. These symptoms might include:

• Short‑term memory lapses (losing things, missing appointments, forgetting conversations)
• Difficulties doing things they have always done such as following familiar recipes or playing card games
• Confusion over money, dates or ferry times
• Withdrawal from hobbies or social invites
• Mood changes - unexpected irritability, anxiety or apathy

Tip: Keep a dated notebook of the changes you observe. This can be helpful at GP appointments.

2. Book a GP Appointment
The NHS recommends visiting the person’s own GP as the first step if there are memory concerns. If you live on the mainland and your parents are on the Island, you could phone the surgery together on loud‑speaker or write an email listing your observations.

3. Practical Ways to Help (even from a distance)
If you live on the mainland and your parents live on the Island

• Set up video calling devices (Portal, Echo Show) with large icons
• Arrange automatic bill payments to reduce admin stress
• Schedule food or pharmacy deliveries
• Use a shared digital calendar for appointments as well as encouraging your parents to have a large and easy to read calendar up on the wall
• Talk to your other parent about labelling draws and cupboards and putting reminders on the fridge
  
  

If you live on the Island

• If possible, offer to do a joint visit to the GP or Memory Clinic
• Label drawers and cupboards in your parent’s home; pop reminders on the fridge. Make things visible!
• Drop in regularly for a cup of tea and gentle “how are things?” chat
• Attend local groups and share hand outs and information with family. You don’t need a diagnosis of dementia to attend Alzheimer Cafés or Parklands Dementia Resource Centre.  

4. How Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight Can Help
Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight is not a clinic - it’s a community. Guests enjoy tea, cake and informal talks around dementia related topics. It’s a chance to be part of an Island-wide support network where you can seek support and information.

• No diagnosis required. If you’re still at the “could it be…?” stage, come along.
• Free of charge. We are a non-profit organisation and don’t charge for any of our Alzheimer Cafés.
• Practical take‑aways. Informative presentations as well as signposting to other useful resources and services on the Island.
• Emotional support. Meet other sons, daughters, partners and friends who are in the same boat as you.

5. Key Isle of Wight Resources at a Glance
Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight
www.alzheimercafeiow.org.uk
01983 220200
[email protected]

Parklands Dementia Resource Centre
Park Road, Cowes, PO31 7LZ
www.alzheimercafeiow.org.uk
01983 220200
[email protected]

Carers IW
www.carersiw.org.uk
01983 533173
[email protected]

Memory Service, DOT & Admiral Nurse Service
South Block
St Mary’s Hospital
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TG
01983 822099

Isle of Wight Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk/isleofwight
01983 525282
[email protected]

A Final Word of Encouragement
Dementia can feel like uncharted water, especially when a Solent crossing might separate you from your parents. Yet hundreds of Island families navigate this journey every year—and they do it best when they have a good support network in place.

So, ask the question: “Does my parent have a dementia?”
Then take the next steps: book that GP chat, jot your observations down, and drop into an Alzheimer Café or to Parklands Dementia Resource Centre. You’ll leave with practical information, and the comforting knowledge that you, and your parents, are part of a caring and supportive Island community.

For more information about Parklands Dementia Resource Centre, call 01983 220200.
For information about our Alzheimer Cafés around the Island, email [email protected].