A MAN has spoken out about his experience of caring for his mum after she was diagnosed with dementia.

Mary Kathleen Clunie, 85, lost her mobility in 2016. Her son Alastair became her carer, and in 2019, she was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

The Bearsden man is heartbroken to see the effect it’s had on his mum, who is a lifelong dog lover and music fan.

Glasgow Times:

The 46-year-old will be taking part in Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk next month in honour of his mum.

He said: “Despite all the health issues she’s had, she’s still fighting on. She’s got a strong heart. She’s had a rich life and that’s why it’s so sad to see her like this now.

“She loved her music and I’ve got music on around the house all the time for her.

“I don’t know if she hears it, but I love music as well. I don’t know if it helps, but it certainly helps me.”

Glasgow Times:

Alastair’s life was turned upside down when he became his mother’s 24/7 carer, not least due to his own poor health.

It’s been a tough journey for the family, only compounded by the loss of Alastair’s father, Jack, last year.

Alastair said: “I gave up my job because I had my father at home. He was not bad for someone in their 80s, but he was of that generation that never really did the shopping or the cooking, so it was down to me.

Glasgow Times:

“I wasn’t long into being my mum’s carer when I got rushed into hospital with heart failure.

“I’ve had two operations, I’m on medication and I’m doing OK.

“I’ve got great support from my family, but I’ve not got much of a social life anymore.

“It’s been a huge change to my life, but it’s my mother so it’s got to be done.”

While Alastair takes up the bulk of the responsibility for his mother’s care, he has support from family, friends and external carers.

Glasgow Times:

On September 18, Alastair and his nephews Daniel McCormack, 27, and Robert Clunie, 21, will walk from the family home in Bearsden, through the Botanic Gardens and back.

While the trio tackle the walk, Alastair’s brother Iain and his partner Jo will stay at home with Mary.

Alastair is keen for the walk to be inspired by and stand for the wonderful life his parents led together.

In the early days of Mary’s diagnosis, Alastair called the Alzheimer Scotland 24hr Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000) for some guidance and found the service a true lifeline.

Alastair said: “They were great. Don’t get me wrong, everyone’s heard of dementia, everyone’s heard of Alzheimer’s, but I don’t think they actually fully understand how much of an illness it is.

“It can be portrayed as ‘they’ve forgotten where they’ve put the car keys’ or ‘they’ve forgotten what they had for their dinner’.

“But the truth is they’re forgetting how to walk, they can’t talk and every body function shuts down.

“I don’t think people realise quite how bad it is. I certainly didn’t. I’m the first to admit I’ve learned an awful lot in the last three years.

Glasgow Times:

“Mum got hospitalised with hallucinations and I knew nothing about that. She used to go on about smells like she could hallucinate smells.

“What kind of illness can do this to a poor soul? It’s got to be one of the most painful things.

“That’s why any little money that can help, I know it’s never going to help mum, but if we can help somebody in the future and understand a little bit more about this illness then the better.”

You can support Alastair’s walk by donating here.