My name is Jeannette Meyers and I am the volunteer Dementia Champion on the Patient
Participation Group at New Hayesbank Surgery.
I am a retired teacher of Modern Languages. I taught in several Kent secondary schools,
and was Head of Modern Languages in 2 schools. Prior to entering the profession, I was
an Executive Officer in HM. Customs & Excise in Dover.
I took early retirement in 2014 to become full time carer for my mother-in-law, who was
living with dementia. It took 5 years to achieve a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for her, and this
delay had serious legal and medical consequences.
I am a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society, particularly concerned with the “Time for
Dementia programme” which aims to raise awareness in training medical professionals of
the issues raised before and after a dementia diagnosis.
I am passionate about supporting all those living with dementia to navigate their way
through the medical and legal challenges which accompany this disease.
Until research finds a cure for dementia in all its forms, I want people to be able to live well
with dementia, and to feel confident about getting the necessary help and support to make
this possible.