A CO Antrim mother-of-five has spoken of her dementia diagnosis at the age of just 46 in a bid to raise awareness of the terminal illness.
Anne Scott from Newtownabbey was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015 after suffering symptoms for more than four years.
With her youngest child aged just five at the time, Ms Scott said dementia had not even entered her mind prior to being given the news.
"All I did back then was cry, as a single parent too, all I could think of was what were my children going to do, it came as a complete shock," she said.
Today marks the beginning of Dementia Awareness Week and Ms Scott (48) said she is speaking publicly about her battle in a bid to encourage others to look for help.
"I was 46 when I was first diagnosed, but I had been suffering symptoms from about the age of 40," she said.
"I was having dizzy spells, pains in my legs, numbness and would fall over easy and would often feel disorientated."
Medics first thought she was suffering from vertigo, but after a year of waiting for a brain scan, she was given the devastating news.
"The neurologist said I had lesions on my brain and I had vascular dementia," she said.
"He said I would end up in a wheelchair and go blind in one eye, it was a big shock.
"I was also tested for MS, which came back positive too. All I did back then was cry, as a single parent too, all I could think of was what were my children going to do, my youngest daughter was only five at the time, it came as a complete shock."
Over the past year, Ms Scott has been availing of the services offered by the NI Hospice, a dementia-friendly environment offering a range of therapies to improve cognitive stimulation including art, music and complementary therapy.
"Some days are better than others," she said.
"I don't go out on my own now as I struggle with colour, say the colour of traffic lights and I also veer off. My legs are often numb and I have no taste or smell, so there are many things I struggle with.
"At the start I had never been to a hospice, but I know there's a good chance I'll end up in a hospice and I wanted to see what's ahead of me.
"When I go to the hospice, the atmosphere is so relaxed, I've no qualms about going, it's such an amazing place and I would encourage others to see what help is out there for them.
"They provide such a great service, the people are so lovely and I hope that the service can be extended further so more people suffering from dementia can go to the hospice."
The NI Hospice Enabled Dementia Programme offers advice and symptom management to patients in their own home. It also provides a day hospice service on a Friday with patients and carers coming from home to the hospice for support.
Joanne Ballentine, who runs the programme, said: "Our dementia friendly new building is proving to be a success.
"Patients living with dementia, attending services have reported that they have had benefit from being in a dementia friendly environment that is tailored for their specific needs."
