‘Our chats about snooker revealed something was very wrong with dad’

A devoted son who cared for his dad for a decade following a dementia diagnosis has shared the first signs that something was seriously wrong. Chris Snell was just 19 when he noticed that conversations with his dad David were sometimes becoming repetitive.

The 33-year-old recalled: “He would speak to me about a certain subject like fishing, snooker or something that happened that day. He would tell me the exact same thing in three or four different ways.” Chris initially thought the habit was just linked to David’s age, and moved in with his dad to support him and spend more time together.

But over time David’s symptoms worsened and the worrying episodes became more frequent. “The turning point for me was he would get scam phone calls and be gullible to it,” Chris said.

“Then one day I came home from work and he was really struggling on his laptop because he couldn’t remember his password.

“It was really getting to him. He shouted and put his head in his hands, saying: ‘What’s the matter with me?’ 

“He was in tears at that point and I had never seen my dad that way. That was the day I made the call to get a diagnosis.”

David, now 82, was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Chris said the process was “calming”.

He added: “[It was good] just to have confirmation that it was not just old age and there was a reason for it. It made me then research what it is and the best way to deal with it without upsetting him.”

Over the following years, Chris put aside his own social life and hobbies to care for his dad while also working as a plasterer.

He did not initially realise that they could access social care without a huge cost, and found council services difficult to access and navigate.

On one occasion, David tried to make the 10-minute drive to a local supermarket but took 40 minutes to find it and 90 minutes to get home.

In another incident, Chris returned home to find the gas cooker had been left on, filling the house with dangerous fumes. 

David moved into a care home in Wokingham two years ago where he is “very content”. Chris is sharing their story this Dementia Action Week to encourage others to act if they notice any symptoms that could be signs of the condition.

Chris said: “Even if you’re unsure whether the person has dementia or if it’s just old age, it’s best to get a test done so that everyone has clarity.

“I wish I had taken my dad for a diagnosis sooner so we could at least make plans or I could have done more research, rather than waiting for the bad thing to happen and having to deal with it.”

Recent research by Alzheimer’s Society found more than 60% of UK adults did not know that vision problems can be a symptom of dementia. And one in 10 could not name a single common symptom.

Author and GP Dr Philippa Kaye said it was “completely natural to feel apprehensive” about seeking a dementia diagnosis.

She added: “It’s important to remember that 97% of people affected by dementia saw a benefit. It can provide relief, help maintain independence, and open doors to essential treatments and support services.

“Around one million people in the UK are living with dementia, but more than a third don’t have a diagnosis. This means many are missing out on crucial care, support, and treatment. 

“While memory loss is often associated with dementia, it can also show up in other ways, such as difficulty planning tasks, finding the right words, misjudging distances on stairs, or becoming confused about time or place. Mood changes, like increased anxiety or irritability, are also common.

“If you or someone you care about is noticing these changes, I encourage you to use the Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist and speak to your GP as soon as possible.”