Madam,

I am writing to say a big thank you to the people who live and work in Barmouth and who had such a positive impact on my mum, Angela Walter. She can’t thank them herself so I wanted to do it for her.

Mum lived in Barmouth for almost 45 years and was well known in the town. After she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s her decline was very gradual, but little things started to change. Daily tasks became stressful, she became forgetful and paranoid but she never lost her special spark and I’m glad to say she still hasn’t. Luckily for mum the condition was spotted early and the medicine really helped but inevitably things eventually got to the point where we thought she needed round-the-clock care.

It’s certainly true that without the kindness, thoughtfulness and vigilance of the people of Barmouth my mum would have had to move into a home much earlier. It was because of the way people ‘looked out’ for my mum that she was able to live at home independently for so long. So I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the people in the shops, banks, the chemist, her wonderful neighbours, friends at church, her lovely carer and people far and wide who looked after Angela in so many ways. We really appreciate how you helped out when we were helpless. Living so far away from mum was always a source of anxiety once we knew she had Alzheimer’s but the kindness and practical support of people she knew was touching.Because of this I wanted to suggest that Barmouth might consider registering as a ‘Dementia Friendly Town’. Certainly its inhabitants have displayed a propensity to care and empathise with dementia sufferers and I for one am eternally grateful. More information about how to become a dementia friendly community can be found on the website of the Alzheimer’s Society at www.alzheimers.org.uk

And just to update you all: Mum is now in a residential home in the Isle of Wight which specialises in care for those with Dementia. She is just a two-minute drive away from my sister’s home and she has settled in and made friends. She doesn’t often mention Barmouth; her childhood in Spain seems closer these days, but she still responds when we mention friends and she still responds with kindness and humour. In short she’s still Angela and we hope she will be for a lot longer.

Thank you once again to everyone who looked out for Angela (or Mrs Walter) – you know who you are.

Yours etc

Teresa Walter and the Walter family

Ashbourne

Derbyshire.