Changing Rooms

Last Friday, my mother moved into a new room on a newly created lower ground floor in her care home. Having created the new floor, the care home sought to separate residents so that those who had ‘nursing’ needs above usual dementia support, stayed on the original floor. Nine residents including my mother were moved …

How to Say Goodbye

The worst part of every encounter with my mother comes when it is time to say goodbye. I sometimes stay at the care home much longer than I planned, trying to find the best moment to go. When the time comes she often seems surprised, and asks, ‘You’re not leaving me here on my own, …

Dear Mum

I wrote this letter to my mother in September 2016, for The Guardian's 'A letter to...' section where readers submit the letter they 'always wanted to write'.