Brian’s charity walk to honour his late father

Brian’s charity walk to honour his late father

3 August 2016

DROMARA’S Brian Patterson is taking part in his seventh Memory Walk at Belfast’s Stormont estate next month in tribute of his beloved father, Eric, who had dementia.

Eric was diagnosed with dementia seven years ago at the age of 74 and passed away in March 2014.

Speaking about the experience, Brian said he was really close to his father, explaining he took care of him after his diagnoses until the last two years of his illness, when he went to a nursing home “because we couldn’t cope any longer.”

Brian continued: “He would have symptoms like forgetting things, being agitated and unsettled. He would park the car and leave it there and walk home. When we noticed him having symptoms we took him to the local GP who then referred him to the City Hospital. Initially when he couldn’t drive any more he found that quite upsetting but I would drive him everywhere he needed to go, so he accepted it. 

“I cared for him during the day time and he stayed with my younger brother who took care of him at night. His sleep habits were affected; he would sleep a lot in the day and be up all night and would try to leave the house. The first two-and-a-half years were not too bad, but by the last two-and-a-half years we couldn’t cope anymore.”

Brian took his father to activity groups in Ballynahinch after his diagnosis, explaining Eric really loved it as he got to do lots of different activities.

“It was good for me too to meet other people in a similar position,” his son continued. “After daddy passed away, I became a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society and volunteered for the activity groups, fundraising and awareness-raising. I have been taking part in the Memory Walk for about seven years my family always sponsor me. Taking part is a great experience and it’s a great feeling to do the walk in memory of someone you love.”

Describing the Alzheimer’s Society as a “great charity,” Brian said it was very good to his father, providing him with “brilliant support.” He said by taking part in the Memory Walk he is able to give something back.

To find out more about the Belfast walk which takes place on September 17, visit www.memorywalk.org.uk/find-a-walk/Belfast/