Episode 7

Natalie heads into one of the most emotional weeks of her course so far, dementia care. On her way to class, she’s already thinking about her agent Scott, who was married to Barbara Windsor. Watching their journey with dementia from a distance has stayed with her, and she’s keen to find out how Scott looked after Barbara as the disease took over.

In college, the group are introduced to dementia care before they leave the classroom. Anna’s Dementia Friends session sets the context, followed by a session onboard the immersive Dementia Bus. Natalie is paired with Scarlett, and they’re guided through the bus experience by Michael, who is running the session in role. He’s sharp with them at first, which unsettles her. Inside the bus, the experience becomes increasingly disorientating: distorted vision, altered sounds and everyday tasks that suddenly feel confusing and difficult. It’s uncomfortable and overwhelming for them both.

When they leave, Michael steps out of role and explains what the exercise was designed to show. The conversation that follows brings things into focus for the class, especially for those with personal experience of dementia in their families.

In Carrickfergus, we meet Lenny the dementia-friendly barber. He provides a very special service to local care homes, bringing his 1950s music and familiar grooming rituals with evocative scents and sounds. It gives the men he sees each week something recognisable and comforting as they spend time in the barber’s chair.

Natalie grabs a catch-up with Scott, and they talk about caring for Barbara at home. He speaks about the promises you make to look after someone and the moment it becomes clear that continuing at home in the same way is no longer possible. He’s open about the guilt experienced but also the eventual acceptance that moving into specialist care is the right decision.

Natalie heads north for her next placement at the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Lodge dementia unit. She’s not sure what to expect, but a purple-themed party brings music and dancing, with residents like Peter immersed in the moment.

As the evening approaches, staff begin to guide residents towards their night-time routine. Natalie is asked to change into pyjamas too. It feels unexpected, until Amy explains it simply - the importance of meeting residents where they are and following their reality rather than expecting them to follow yours.

As a calmness descends over Poppy Lodge, Natalie joins Monica, helping Amy to get her ready for bed. As she does, she’s reminded of caring for her dad and the small things that came with that time. Natalie recognises what a tough but rewarding job working in dementia care is. But she also sees it as one full of connections and wonders if maybe this is the area of care she might find herself in when she finally graduates.