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At The Greatham Foundation, we are committed to supporting people affected by dementia. That’s why we’re proud to have funded a powerful new booklet by Michael Booth, a Hartlepool man who has transformed his own young-onset dementia diagnosis into something that can help others find clarity and hope.
Michael was just 46 when he was diagnosed — an experience he describes as “a kick in the stomach.” The diagnosis came only six months after the death of his mother, who also lived with young-onset Alzheimer’s.
“I helped care for my mum in her final years and started noticing I was struggling myself — forgetting words, getting disoriented, and having balance problems,” Michael explains. “At first, I put it down to stress. But a nurse suggested I get tested. That’s when everything changed.”
For Michael, the symptoms began with speech and balance rather than memory. He frequently lost his footing and, on more than one occasion, ended up in A&E.
“I thought I had a whole future ahead — and suddenly, I didn’t. Or at least, that’s how it felt. But I want people to know: a diagnosis is not the end. It might feel like it is, but it’s not.”
With the goal of helping others through those early, overwhelming days after diagnosis, Michael has written a comprehensive, down-to-earth guide titled “Dementia: Understanding Your Diagnosis and What Happens Next”
The 34-page booklet — available now to download for free from our website — provides clear, practical advice for people who have just been diagnosed and their families. Funded by Dementia Friendly Hartlepool and The Greatham Foundation, it covers essential topics including types of dementia, staying physically and mentally active, and who to turn to for support.
Michael wrote the booklet because he was determined that others should not feel as lost as he did.
“When I was diagnosed, I was handed the same generic leaflets my mum had received ten years earlier. Nothing had changed. I knew that had to be different.”
The guide draws on Michael’s personal experiences, as well as insights gained through his talks, volunteering, and advocacy work with dementia organisations.
“People often panic after a diagnosis. They shut down. They stop seeking help. I want this booklet to be a first step — something that says: you are not alone, and there is a way forward.”