Jean, Alan and Stella

Jean says: “My husband Alan was a very interesting man, a kind, generous man. He had a very structured life, that’s a big part of how he was. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with vascular dementia around 2008. We were able to get through it with the love and support of Stella. I always wanted Alan to be in a good place where I knew he was safe and happy so that I could get a bit of respite. It had to be right because he was mine and I knew instantly that Stella was right for us. He enjoyed his time at her house. He was made to feel welcome and liked to be useful, doing little jobs.”

Stella found the experience equally rewarding: “Alan became like a member of the family, we all enjoyed his company. He was really interesting to listen to and had some great stories. He loved to walk the dogs, he always had them on his lap. He always brought dog biscuits in his pocket to feed the dogs with. He was famous for that, everywhere he went he’d have a dog biscuit with him!”

Stella and Jean have become really great friends and since Alan passed away they meet up regularly.

Jean said: “Next to me I’d say that Stella knew Alan the best as she spent that time with him. Not quite as much as me, but she’s seen all different sides to him. She knew his
nature and who he was as a person to a tee! That’s special to me. So we’ll always be friends. She can look after me when I have dementia!”