The Other Side of Dementia
A quiet companion for carers — and for those left behind.
Caring for a partner with dementia is a journey few people understand.
And when the caring ends, a new kind of loneliness begins — quieter, deeper, and often invisible to others.
This is a place for both sides of that journey:
the loneliness during caring
the loneliness after loss.
My name is Neil Holloway, and for many years I walked alongside my wife, Jackie, on her journey through frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
She was diagnosed, we adapted, we coped, and eventually I had to say goodbye. It was a journey filled with confusion, fear, tenderness, hard decisions, unexpected kindness, and moments of deep love.
Like many families, we found ourselves in a world of new words, assessments, forms, professionals, organisations, and decisions we never wanted to make. We learned as we went along—sometimes the hard way. And after Jackie died, another “journey” began: paperwork, loneliness, rebuilding life, and slowly understanding that grief has no timetable.
Over time, I realised something important:
Many older people—especially those suddenly thrown into the world of dementia—find the whole process overwhelming.
The terminology.
The appointments.
The NHS pages.
The legal documents.
The benefits system.
The practical care.
The emotional weight.
It’s not that the information isn’t out there. It is.
But for someone already under strain, or someone not confident online, understanding it all and knowing where to begin can feel impossible.
That is why I created The Other Side of Dementia.
This site is designed to help you—whether you are a spouse, a family member, a friend, or someone newly diagnosed—find:
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Clear guidance
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Practical steps
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Emotional support
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Real-life experiences
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Reliable NHS links
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Checklists and tools
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Advice on what to expect
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Help after bereavement
I am not a doctor, lawyer or professional carer.
But I am someone who has lived this journey every day for years and learned what truly matters.
And most of all, I am someone who knows how confusing and lonely it can feel when you’re trying to make the right decisions for someone you love.
Many people find it difficult to use the internet or understand the systems involved in dementia care.
If you need help:
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understanding a form,
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finding the right NHS page,
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understanding what a term means,
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locating services,
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or researching a question…
... I can help you find the information you need using modern technology.
You can simply tell me your question in plain English, and I will do the heavy lifting.