More than 525,000 people with dementia in the UK are living at home, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned.
The estimated figure, provided by the Alzheimer's Society, represents a significant proportion of the 850,000 people thought to be living with the condition overall.
This is the case for Wendy, Keith and Christopher. Having had Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia - for different lengths of time, their stories depict how the condition can progress over the first seven years.
Standing outside her office, in a familiar corridor, Wendy Mitchell lost all sense of where she was.
At 57, she was experiencing her first clear sign of what was to later be diagnosed as early onset dementia.
"That was just mind-blowingly frightening, because there you are one minute, knowing exactly where you are and who you are, and suddenly your mind is empty."
Since then, the biggest change has been to her working life.
"I wanted to continue working but as time has gone on, I realised that I was not able to do the things that I once could," she says.
"I used to juggle 10 jobs at once - answer the phone, be on the computer, talking to people. I can't do that any more."
Retiring from her non-clinical role in the NHS has allowed Ms Mitchell more time to spend time with her family, write her blog and support the work of the Alzheimer's Society - going to conferences and taking part in medical trials.
"Just being part of that research makes me feel of value. You lose a lot of feeling of value when you are diagnosed with Alzheimer's [disease]."
But Ms Mitchell has also had to prepare for the future, putting together a "memory room" of photos that hold special meaning.
"Once I lose who's who in all the pictures and forget the destinations, I am sure I will be able to stand in this room and feel happiness," she explains.
One of her greatest fears is not being able to recognise her two daughters.
Wendy with her daughter
"I've said to them that one day you'll come in the room and I won't know who you are, I won't know your name.
"But I'm sure I'll feel that emotional connection of love that we have for each other, and [they will] always remember - that although I won't recognise them - I'll still love them."Statistics: Posted by annie — 08 Apr 2015, 17:10
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