Michael Fethon recalls the moment he first noticed his father, Jim, showing early signs of dementia during the tiling of his kitchen in 2020. Jim, a 'typical Yorkshire person,' was determined to complete the task himself but soon became confused about the process, forgetting steps and expressing frustration. Michael raised his concerns with his mother, Sheila, but she initially dismissed them, thinking the difficulties were temporary. Later that year, Michael took his parents to a luxury hotel in Beverley for afternoon tea as a thank-you. However, Jim became panicked about getting there and asked Michael to wait outside. Sheila then sought a GP appointment, but the doctor attributed Jim's behavior to anxiety related to the pandemic. This marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey for the family. The family endured an agonizing 18-month wait for a dementia diagnosis. During this time, Jim’s condition worsened significantly, including moments when he no longer recognized Michael. Despite multiple visits to GPs and various assessments, the family received no clear guidance or support on what to expect as the disease progressed. Frustrated, Michael spent much of his time researching dementia online to better understand his father’s symptoms. The diagnosis finally came via a phone call, informing the family that Jim had a life-limiting condition and offering involvement in clinical trials. Jim struggled to comprehend the news and was overwhelmed by the sudden suggestion of participating in research. Jim passed away in May after several years in a care home. His wife, Sheila, would have marked their 49th wedding anniversary that year. Even in the later stages of dementia, Jim occasionally remembered his time in the Merchant Navy, particularly his visits to New Zealand. Michael is now advocating for changes in how dementia is handled by healthcare professionals. He calls for expedited referrals for assessment, similar to those for cancer, arguing that dementia, the biggest killer in the UK, should not face such long waits for diagnosis and support. He also wants more assessments to be accessible in one location, reducing the burden on families. Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, stated that experiences like Michael's are 'sadly not rare' and emphasized that people affected by dementia deserve better care. She highlighted that around a third of people living with dementia in the UK do not have a formal diagnosis and called for an accurate diagnosis and care plan within 18 weeks of referral. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care expressed condolences and noted the government's efforts to strengthen support for individuals with dementia and their families. They mentioned plans to bring forward the timetable for Baroness Casey's commission on reform of the social care system, appointing a new dementia tsar, and implementing a new action plan for unpaid carers.