‘We see a glimmer of Dad some days’ - Dragon’s Den star shares reality of parent with dementia

“There is a glimmer of dad some days”, 34-year-old Dublin native Pamela Laird said.

The entrepreneur is known for her TV appearances on the Irish Dragon’s Den, as well as being a finalist on the UK Apprentice in 2019. Pamela’s father Sylvester, who recently turned 90, was diagnosed with dementia around 10 years ago. 

In light of Alzheimer Society Ireland (ASI) marking their 30th anniversary of their annual Tea Day awareness event, Pamela shared insight into the progression of the disease, and what it is like for her as a daughter seeing her father’s cognitive functions decline over time.

“As a daughter, to see from both my mother and father’s point of view is very hard - there are times when dad wouldn’t instantly recognise me, which is very difficult,” Pamela said.

“At the beginning, it was mobility issues we noticed rather than memory issues. Dad would turn a corner and keel over and we couldn’t figure out why as he had been a very active man his whole life, so it was a drastic difference. 

“It took quite a while to get a diagnosis and unfortunately, we experienced some ageism along the way. I would say to anyone who has gotten a recent diagnosis that knowledge is key and to engage with support early on in the process.”

There are 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland and there are 11,000 new cases of dementia in the country each year. That’s at least 30 people every day.

Both of Pamela’s parents owned their own businesses, which means she inherited the entrepreneurial mindset. Her mother Yvonne owned a beauty salon, which inspired Pamela at a young age. 

“I grew up spending my afternoons after school in my dad’s car garage or my mam’s beauty salon - I preferred the latter, definitely!”

“I set up a nail bar just after my Leaving Cert and then I started my own beauty business brand, Moxi Loves. It has been a wild ride.”

Pamela and her family are extremely thankful for ASI, who have a range of support services for families going through a dementia diagnosis, including that of a 24 hour helpline and carers course.

Making a guest appearance at the launch of the 30th anniversary for ASI’s Tea Day on March 12, Pamela would encourage everyone to take part in setting up a Tea Day in their local community during the month of May and fundraising for ASI and the “incredible work that they do”. 

From May 2, communities across the country will come together and drink tea to raise money for ASI.

A national non-profit organisation, ASI works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia-specific services and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with the progressive disease, and their carers.

Calls for the people of Carlow to unite and fundraise for Alzheimers, by drinking tea!

Around 735 people in Carlow are living with dementia, while 30 people get diagnosed everyday nationwide