Living with dementia: Sharon’s story
This Dementia Action Week, we wanted to share Sharon’s story and shine a light on what living with dementia can look like.
We offer a range of home options for customers, including supported living. This type of accommodation provides adults with support tailored to their specific needs.
Sharon is one of our supported customers living in Rayleigh. She had lived on her own in Southend for many years until she was diagnosed with mixed dementia just before the coronavirus lockdown. Mixed dementia occurs when someone has more than one type of dementia. In Sharon’s case, she has Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, which is the most common form of mixed dementia. It’s caused by a person developing Alzheimer’s disease while also having diseased or damaged blood vessels supplying their brain.
Sharon was starting to forget things and was experiencing falls, so in August 2025 she moved into supported living accommodation.
When Sharon moved in, she was very anxious because she’d never shared a home with others before. But it didn’t take long before she found herself fitting in brilliantly and making friends with her neighbours and Delta employees alike. Sharon loves watching films, especially Disney. Members of staff describe her as having a funny sense of humour, and say she’s a joy to have around.
To make sure we’re providing the best possible support, everyone working at Sharon’s accommodation has refreshed their dementia training and has come to know Sharon well. Everyone living with dementia is different, so it’s important to be mindful of their individual needs, personalities, and experiences.
Sharon is independent with a lot of things, including dressing herself, making breakfast and lunch, and she often makes cups of tea for staff and her fellow housemates. The team supports her with taking her medication, showering, and cooking dinner since she doesn’t feel confident using the cooker. They also book Sharon’s medical appointments and help her to attend them, as well as assisting with trips to the hairdressers and clothes shopping.
Sharon has good days and bad days, sometimes getting more forgetful or becoming vacant. She explains, “My sister calls me, and I forget, and when she asks me to do something, I keep repeating myself.”
Despite these difficulties, her health is stable. She recently overcame her fear of the dentist and had some fillings, which a member of staff described as a big achievement for her. Sharon has also started attending a new day centre called Peaceful Place, which is designed specially for people living with dementia.
Sharon says, “I feel good, and I really like this place. I like it when I go to the Peaceful Place.”
Our approach
The Alzheimer’s Society accredited us as “working towards being dementia friendly” back in 2023. We were the first housing association in Essex to have achieved this accreditation, and we’re proud to lead the way in supporting customers to live well with dementia.
Since then, we’ve been working to improve services for customers affected by dementia and their carers. Visit the resources page on our website to learn about our action plan and how to access support.