S7 E11 - The Conversations We Need to Have: Aimee Owens on Dementia and Alzheimer's disease, Family & Supporting Children Through Change

"We don't talk about ageing with children - but children notice everything."Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ageing, memory loss, caregiving, grief, and family illness.This week's conversation is a deeply moving one about family, memory, love and the difficult realities that so many families quietly navigate behind closed doors.I'm joined by primary school teacher and dementia advocate Aimee Owens, who shares her family's journey after her father was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.As a teacher of over 20 years, Aimee sees first-hand how important grandparents are in children's lives. Yet when dementia enters a family, many children are left trying to make sense of confusing emotions and changes without the language or support they need.We talk about growing up in Monaghan, the pressure of perfectionism, family life, music, teaching and the life-changing moment when Aimee realised something wasn't quite right with her dad.This is a conversation about compassion, resilience and why we need to create more space for honest conversations about dementia - especially with children.✨ In this episode:Growing up in Monaghan with three older sistersMusic, competitions and the pressure of perfectionismBecoming a primary school teacherMissing out on her dream college course and learning resilienceWhy failure isn't really failureThe early signs of her father's dementiaLiving with vascular dementia and Alzheimer'sHow dementia affects family relationshipsSupporting a parent who no longer recognises youThe role grandparents play in children's livesWhy we need to talk to children about ageing and illnessCaring for loved ones with dignity and compassionThe emotional impact on spouses and caregiversWriting a children's book about dementiaLearning to be kinder to yourselfYou can find Aimee here: Instagram | Interview with Claire Bryne on Newstalk You can find Aisling Ní Domhnaill here and Sound Quality Gifts here.____BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.