“I care for my dad, who has dementia. I feel it’s my duty to care for him as he’s cared for me all my life till he got dementia and moved in with myself and son back in 2019.

It’s hard to see my dad this way as I have never had to deal with dementia in my life. I cared for my late son who was disabled and I worked in the care sector for disabled people with complex needs. Fortunately my son is studying to be a nurse and a big part of his course was dementia, so he’s taught me.

I find that being out in the rural area there’s not much going on, and as we are nearer West Dumbarton than Stirling (7 miles) it be nice if we could access services there. Being out in rural area you’re kinda left to it, so that’s the stressful and trying part of caring, especially as dad’s determined he’s not having carers in.”

“I help care for my Papa when I can. I am studying to be a nurse. I used to be in Young Carers for my big brother and it was great fun.

It’s hard for mum to do papa’s personal care because he’s her dad, whereas I just get on with it. Papa is like a dad to me – we used to do things together, so now it’s my time to help him.

I am taking a year out before I go to University to help mum and papa. Mum and me have spoken and we know there will be a time when papa has to go into a care home, but hopefully that’s a very long time away.”