Fighting Dementia Podcast

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Hosted by Fran & Tom who live with Dementia, we’re a podcast & community for those impacted in the early to middle stages – offering expert insights, honest stories & support. For those diagnosed, carers & families who need to feel seen, informed & less alone 🤝 **New Episodes Weekly On Mondays!** We want to take viewers on a journey to see what behaviours can be adapted, changed or moulded to support good brain health, and fight the progression of Dementia 🥊

  1. Oct 25

    The Reality of Living with Dementia: Honest Conversations

    Welcome to the Fighting Dementia Podcast, your go-to resource for practical dementia support and honest conversation.In this introductory episode, hosts Leon and Fran introduce the mission behind the show. Whether you are navigating an early stage dementia diagnosis or you are one of the many dedicated dementia caregivers looking for guidance, this space is for you. We aim to bridge the gap between medical advice and real-world experience, offering a platform where those living with cognitive changes can share their stories, challenges, and wins.Our goal is to create a community that feels less like a clinical appointment and more like a conversation among friends. By highlighting personal journeys and sharing helpful perspectives, this dementia podcast helps you feel less isolated in your experience. We hope to provide the reassurance and clarity you need to manage the daily realities of your situation with confidence.Subscribe for weekly insights on living well, and let us know in the comments what topics you would like us to cover next.If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit. We're building one of the biggest communities for supporting, guiding, and comforting everyone affected by cognitive issues — and your support helps us get there.Want to come on the podcast or share your story? Get in touch — we'd love to hear from you.Reminder: We always encourage you to do your own research. Guests may share personal experiences or new developments in science — what works for one person may not work for everyone.#FightingDementia #DementiaAwareness #LivingWithDementia #Alzheimers #MixedDementia #DementiaSupport #ReminiscenceTherapy #DementiaDiagnosis #DementiaCommunity #BrainHealth

  2. Oct 19

    Dementia Doesn't Define Who We Are

    Welcome back to the Fighting Dementia Podcast — a free resource for anyone living with dementia or supporting someone who is. Hosted by Leon, Fran (living with Alzheimer's and mixed dementia), and Tom (diagnosed with mixed dementia eight years ago), this episode is all about staying active, keeping your sense of purpose, and challenging what people think dementia "looks like." In this episode, the team covers a lot of ground. Tom shares stories from his trip to the D-Day landing beaches in France (and the electric car charging nightmare on the way home), while Fran looks forward to a day trip to the Isle of Man and talks about rediscovering coach travel. The conversation naturally flows into reminiscence therapy — how revisiting meaningful places, music, and memories can help fight the progression of dementia. There's also exciting news: Tom and Fran are becoming monthly radio DJs, curating playlists of songs that matter to them. On the health front, Fran opens up about a recent diabetes diagnosis and the dietary changes that followed, while the group reflects on their previous episode with Dr. Jennifer — unpacking her SLEDGE framework (Socialising, Laughter, Exercise, Diet, cognitive stimulation, and more), the importance of finding purpose after a diagnosis, and the ongoing fight for faster access to early diagnosis. They also discuss a promising new one-stop dementia clinic in Manchester that brings diagnosis, scans, and support under one roof. Throughout it all, Fran and Tom remind us that people living with dementia don't fit a stereotype — and that openness, structure, and a good sense of humour go a long way. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to the Fighting Dementia Podcast 00:43 - Tom's trip to France: D-Day beaches & electric car drama 01:16 - When travel stress meets dementia 02:05 - Fran's upcoming adventures: coach trips & the Isle of Man 02:47 - Why reminiscence therapy works 03:19 - Tom & Fran are becoming radio DJs 06:30 - Diet, health & Fran's new diabetes diagnosis 09:53 - Reflecting on Dr. Jennifer's episode 12:04 - The SLEDGE framework for living well 12:47 - "You don't look like you have dementia" 14:06 - Finding purpose after a diagnosis 4:58 - The fight for earlier diagnosis & Manchester's one-stop clinic 17:40 - Wrap-up & how to get involved If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit. We're building one of the biggest communities for supporting, guiding, and comforting everyone affected by cognitive issues — and your support helps us get there. Want to come on the podcast or share your story? Get in touch — we'd love to hear from you. Reminder: We always encourage you to do your own research. Guests may share personal experiences or new developments in science — what works for one person may not work for everyone. #FightingDementia #DementiaAwareness #LivingWithDementia #Alzheimers #MixedDementia #DementiaSupport #ReminiscenceTherapy #DementiaDiagnosis #DementiaCommunity #BrainHealth

  3. Oct 12

    The Doctor Nobody Would Diagnose

    In this episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Butte — a former GP who was diagnosed with dementia over 14 years ago. What happened next is a story of reinvention, resilience, and a stubborn refusal to give up. Jennifer takes us through the moment she knew something was wrong, the two neurologists who refused to diagnose her because they "didn't want to lose a good doctor," and the consultant who finally confirmed what she already knew. From there, her journey spiralled in extraordinary directions: writing educational leaflets for her family, speaking at conferences across the country, publishing a book, appearing on the BBC, and running Japanese-inspired memory groups that got people talking who hadn't spoken a word in years. But this episode isn't just one person's story. Our own Fran and Tom — both living with dementia — share their parallel experiences of fighting for a diagnosis, navigating medications with tricky side effects, and finding new purpose after their worlds shifted. We dig into the SLEDGE framework Jennifer developed for staying well with dementia, explore the latest research on vitamin B and creatine, and discover a surprisingly charming dragon cartoon that helps children understand what's happening to their grandparents. Whether you're living with dementia, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about what life looks like after a diagnosis — this conversation will challenge what you think you know. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Meet the Fighting Dementia podcast team 01:10 - When a doctor forgets the way to her own surgery 01:50 - "We don't want to lose a good doctor" 03:10 - From NHS leaflets to conference stages 05:41 - A nurse who couldn't get diagnosed either 09:02 - The Japanese method that woke people up 10:46 - Why your memory group needs one-to-one support 11:42 - The SLEDGE framework for staying well 12:32 - Laughter therapy: the horse that couldn't make it drunk 14:00 - Diet, diabetes, and the dementia connection 15:03 - 14 years later: what fighting dementia looks like 16:44 - "Dementia is a gift" — the headline that backfired 18:58 - Donepezil, heart conditions, and a fall down concrete stairs 21:13 - The medication switch that changed everything 21:36 - Why you must research your own medications 23:05 - Vitamin B: the neurologist's advice nobody talks about 23:30 - Creatine and Alzheimer's: promising new research 24:30 - Explaining dementia to kids: the dragon cartoon 25:59 - A board game that teaches children about dementia 27:43 - Final words: you mustn't give up 🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode: • Dr. Jennifer Butte's Book • Vitamin B Complex • British Gymnastics Foundation — Love to Move programme • Alzheimer's Society — Singing for the Brain • Liverpool John Moores University — Dementia board game for children 📋 Guests share their personal experiences and what has worked for them. Always do your own research and consult your doctor before making changes to medication or supplements. #FightingDementia #DementiaAwareness #Alzheimers #DementiaSupport #LivingWithDementia #DementiaCare #SLEDGEFramework #DementiaEducation #EarlyOnsetDementia #BrainHealth #MemoryCare #DementiaResearchx

  4. Oct 5

    Mum Told Us She Had Dementia Over Spaghetti Bolognese!

    Welcome to the latest episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast. Fran told her family she had dementia over a plate of spaghetti bolognese, so casually that they carried on eating. Fran's daughter Kelly-Ann, on the podcast for the first time, and her husband Frank join Leon to look back on the seven or eight years since. Kelly-Ann remembers ordering around 25 booklets from the Alzheimer's website straight away, and the phone call where Fran told her the same story twice in a row. It hasn't happened since. Frank, who used to work with a hospital dementia team, describes a slow, gradual progression and a wife who still won't take a day off. They're honest about the everyday parts of dementia people don't expect: tastes changing, forgetting to eat or drink, sleep, and the running battle to get Fran to rest before she burns out. Both finish with advice for families earlier in the journey, from being patient to changing the way you approach things as the person you love changes. Resources & Further Reading: Meditation & Dementia Research: https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org Alzheimer's Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org Reddit r/dementia: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/ UK Power of Attorney: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Fighting Dementia Podcast 00:22 Meet Fran's daughter Kelly-Ann and husband Frank 00:52 Finding out over spaghetti bolognese 01:55 Booklets and a lot of Google searches 03:06 Frank on a slow, gradual journey 04:12 A couple of steps forward, a couple back 05:36 Why Fran is doing so well 06:39 Trying to get Fran to rest 07:29 Family, grandchildren and a sense of purpose 08:40 Crosswords, puzzles, good days and bad days 10:15 Burnout and finding a balance 11:25 Food, changing tastes and remembering to drink 14:20 Managing other health conditions 16:49 Sleep and evenings 17:55 Frank's work with a hospital dementia team 18:40 Advice for families 21:44 Thanks for listening

  5. Sep 28

    Can You Be Friends With Someone Who Can't Remember You?

    Welcome to the latest episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast. Peter Berry was diagnosed with young onset dementia at 50, and nearly 12 years on he's still riding his penny farthing. Peter and his friend and co-author Deb Bunt are back to catch up with Fran and Leon about their new book, Patching the Puncture: Continuing to Live Well with Dementia, the follow-up to Slow Puncture. Peter explains why putting it on paper matters to him: the tide of dementia can't wash the words away. Deb talks about accepting that Peter probably won't remember most of what they do together, and changing her own behaviour so they keep doing it anyway. Peter also talks about keeping his diagnosis quiet for years because he worried people would treat him differently, and why he's now happy to wear his "dementia coat" in public. Fran explains why she wants people to know about her diagnosis, and tells them about a dementia game for children and families she came across at Liverpool John Moores University. Plus Peter's rule for brain health (look after everything from the eyebrows down) and the day he rode 100 miles on a penny farthing. Resources & Further Reading: Peter and Deb's books: https://www.peter-berry.com/the-books Patching the Puncture on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1835743811 Slow Puncture on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913208931 Meditation & Dementia Research: https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org Alzheimer's Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org Reddit r/dementia: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/ UK Power of Attorney: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Fighting Dementia Podcast 00:29 Peter and Deb are back 01:09 The last nine months and the new book 03:16 Why they wrote Patching the Puncture 04:45 The title and the penny farthing cover 05:45 Audiobooks and books in other languages 08:13 Accepting Peter won't remember, and adapting 09:52 Being treated differently because you forget 11:27 Friendship when one of you can't remember 12:13 Fran on being open about her diagnosis 14:10 A dementia game for children at LJMU 15:37 Peter's "dementia coat" 18:16 Diet, exercise and staying active 20:14 How dementia changed Fran's life 21:55 100 miles on a penny farthing 22:57 Hope, and saying goodbye

  6. Sep 21

    What It's Really Like Caring for Someone With Dementia

    This week Leon is joined by Marion, Tom's wife and the person who books every guest on this podcast. She talks about what's coming up on the show, including a guest who works on the assistive technology Liverpool City Council uses in care homes, and a GP joining a future episode who has young onset dementia herself. Marion talks honestly about what it's like day to day, the good days and the bad ones, and how Tom's confidence and diet have changed since he started the podcast and began taking creatine, something new research out of America has been looking at for Alzheimer's patients. She's clear that this isn't medical advice, just what's worked for Tom, and that anyone considering it should speak to their GP first. She also talks about the guilt she feels making time for herself, the burnout she's experienced in the past, and how the Sedgemoor support group changed things for both of them. If you're supporting someone living with dementia, there's a good chance some of this will sound familiar. Resources & Further Reading: CNN Creatine Clip: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/08/health/video/creatine-supplement-dr-sanjay-gupta-vrtc Meditation & Dementia Research: https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/ Alzheimer's Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/ Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/ Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney Chapters: 0:00 Welcome back, joined by Marion 1:06 Who's coming up: dementia tech, Michelle King, Deb and Peter, and a GP living with young onset dementia 2:29 Catching up on the summer: Yorkshire and a round of golf 3:29 The change Marion has seen in Tom since starting the podcast 4:09 How the podcast changed Tom's attitude to his diet 7:00 Supporting Tom through good days and bad days 9:27 Fewer bad days since starting creatine 11:38 Living in the moment and hopes for next year 14:32 Why carers need their own routines too 15:35 Marion's own self care and the guilt of taking time for herself 20:25 The Sedgemoor support group and finding your people

  7. Sep 14

    New Hobbies After a Dementia Diagnosis (And Why They Help Your Brain)

    Fran and Tom are back from their summer break, and they've both picked up new hobbies while they were off. Fran's been knitting, doing embroidery and finishing jigsaw puzzles with her granddaughter Daisy. Tom's deep into oil painting and getting ready for an exhibition at St George's Hall in Liverpool next year. Fran talks about filming with the BBC's The One Show at Liverpool University, where she and other families tested a new game designed to teach children what dementia actually is. Tom's been on Granada Reports talking about his art. Both have strong opinions on archery clubs that won't return your emails. They also get into why an early diagnosis matters, why keeping old objects and photos around can work as a form of reminiscence therapy, and why trying something new, even if you're not good at it, helps build new connections in the brain. That last point comes from a short clip revisiting the neuroplasticity conversation from an earlier episode with Dr Sabine. If you're living with dementia or supporting someone who is, we hope this gives you a bit of encouragement to try something new yourself. Resources & Further Reading: Meditation & Dementia Research: https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/ Alzheimer's Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/ Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/ Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney Chapters: 0:00 Welcome back after the summer break 1:01 Fran on The One Show and a new dementia game for kids 2:55 Tom's art exhibition at St George's Hall 4:15 New hobbies: knitting, painting and jigsaw puzzles 6:52 Reminiscence therapy and objects that hold memories 8:16 Cycling, golf and travelling further from home 10:09 The Alzheimer's actor doing a one man play in London 11:04 Why an early diagnosis matters 13:06 Diet check in: kale, oily fish and portion control 17:38 Neuroplasticity: why trying new skills helps your brain 20:58 Tom's new painting hobby and taking proper breaks Hashtags: #FightingDementia #DementiaSupport #BrainHealth

  8. Aug 3

    Small Lifestyle Changes That Matter | Fighting Dementia Episode 38

    On this episode of the Fighting Dementia Podcast, hosts Leon, Fran, and Tom speak with Dr. Sabine Donnai, a Belgian-trained GP who now runs a London clinic focused on optimising whole-body health to support brain function. Dr. Donnai explains dementia as the brain protecting itself from harmful drivers - such as diabetes, high blood pressure, excess weight, toxins, gut and hormone issues, or head injuries - and stresses it’s never too late to make changes that can slow progression and sometimes improve early cognitive decline, though severe damage may be irreversible. She emphasises basics like whole foods, sleep, stress management, purpose, activity, omega-3s, vitamin D, and avoiding excess sugar, plus learning challenging new skills rather than relying on crosswords. Resources & Further Reading: Meditation & Dementia Research:https://news.med.miami.edu/worried-about-alzheimers-meditate-and-mingle-study-says/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/a-subtle-impact/202506/meditation-could-reverse-brain-aging SURF (Service Users Reference Forum): https://surfdementia.org/ Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ Carers UK: https://www.carersuk.org/ Reddit Dementia Communities: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/ Powers of Attorney Info (UK): https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney Chapters: 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:28 Meet Dr Sabine 00:49 Why Brain Health 04:14 Clinic Approach 05:45 Never Too Late 06:39 Drivers of Dementia 09:15 Neuroplasticity Hope 10:52 Back to Basics 14:14 Food and Fats 16:46 Making Change Stick 19:13 Train Your Brain 21:01 Medicine vs Lifestyle 24:42 Bypass the System 28:02 Hosts Debrief 28:14 New Skills Ideas 29:26 Finding Purpose 30:36 Tom’s Motivators 32:10 Lessons from the Talk 32:37 Painting as Therapy 33:52 Creative Focus and Routine 35:21 Caregiver Tips and Reminders 36:34 Leaving Work and New Structure 37:46 Fatigue and Brain Health Habits 39:37 Oily Fish Diet Check In 42:46 Tools Apps and Whole Foods 47:53 Modern Food and Growing Veg 50:20 Tomato Memories and Farewell

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Hosted by Fran & Tom who live with Dementia, we’re a podcast & community for those impacted in the early to middle stages – offering expert insights, honest stories & support. For those diagnosed, carers & families who need to feel seen, informed & less alone 🤝 **New Episodes Weekly On Mondays!** We want to take viewers on a journey to see what behaviours can be adapted, changed or moulded to support good brain health, and fight the progression of Dementia 🥊

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