"Gave us the professional validation we needed"

Over the past three to four years, we have had ongoing concerns about my mother in-laws memory, which led to several difficult conversations with her. In September 2024, she completed a brief memory test with the GP and passed, but despite our continued concerns, we had felt dismissed and unsupported. This year, her condition appeared to decline further, so we returned to the GP on 10 August with a detailed list of concerns. Unfortunately, she did not pass the test this time, confirming our worries.

When we attended the formal memory assessment, the nurse immediately put her at ease. His approach was fantastic—calm, empathetic, and personal. He spoke to her in a way that was relatable and reassuring, never rushed or pressured her, and avoided highlighting mistakes. The structure and tone of the conversation were absolutely brilliant. The nurse also provided excellent support, and together they made the experience far less stressful and emotional than we anticipated.

The appointment was held in Penzance. Its location, was much closer then the main hospital, which helped reduce stress and made the process much easier. For the past two years, my family—particularly my husband and myself —have struggled with the pressure of managing these concerns alone, feeling dismissed and let down. Mum often told us, “See, I didn’t have anything wrong,” which made it even harder. This assessment gave us the professional validation we needed and reassured us that our concerns were justified.

The nurse was exceptional throughout. He included us in the conversation, used confidential information sensitively, and structured the assessment in a way that felt collaborative. He offered clear next steps and encouraged us to contact him anytime, which was incredibly reassuring after such a long period of uncertainty. His professionalism and empathy turned what had been a very negative experience into a positive one. We left feeling supported, informed, and hopeful for the future.

Thank you for the work you are doing—it has made a significant difference to us.