“What made you choose blue?” On becoming more “awkward”
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the personal experience of dealing with the progressive dementia of a close family member. Design/methodology/approach – Selected journal/diary entries over a ten-year period. Edited and anonymised. Findings – Even informed professionals with knowledge into the health and care system can struggle with the challenges of the progressive dementia of a loved one and managing the system. Research limitations/implications – One shot case study influenced by the moral and emotional proximity. Practical implications – Case studies can offer a range of diverse, if not unique, examples of the specific needs and problems faced by families that carers should take note of. Originality/value – All case studies are unique. But narrative accounts, even if episodic, can bring home-specific illustrations of good, best and problematic practices.