Dementia diagnosis 'not the end', says author

Mr Booth was able to write a book despite his diagnosis

A man who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just months after his mother died from the disease has told how living with dementia "is not the end".

Michael Booth, from Hartlepool, was only 46 when he was told he had dementia and has written a book to help others with the condition.

Gemma Gray, who works with Mr Booth on projects within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, called him "an inspiration".

Mr Booth, now 51, said the diagnosis had been "a real blow".

Originally from Hartlepool, he moved to South Africa with his family as a child, but returned home when his grandfather developed signs of dementia in his 80s.

"None of the family realised back then that the disease could be genetic," Mr Booth said.

Mr Booth's mother, Christine, was in her early 50s when she started showing signs of mental health struggles.

She was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s when she was 55.

'Hardest parts'

As Mr Booth helped care for her, he stated experiencing problems with his own memory and balance, but put it down to stress.

His mother died just before the first Covid-19 lockdown of 2020, at the age of 65.

Mr Booth received his own diagnosis a few months later.

"The diagnosis was a real blow, especially as I’d just watched my mum go through it," the former project manager said.

"One of the hardest parts was to tell my dad that, after losing his wife to dementia, I now had it too."

'I'm still me'

Mr Booth was prompted to write about his experiences by The Bridge, a dementia charity in Hartlepool.

He said once he started he "never stopped" - and realised what he had written could help others in the same position.

His book, Dementia: You are not alone, draws on the expertise of those he met while giving talks and volunteering.

"I want people living with dementia to know that it’s not the end," Mr Booth said.

"It might feel like it is, but it’s not. I’m still me. I have a few problems, I struggle with a few things, but I’m still me."