Hello! My name is Aoife, I am a second year MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) Student from Queen Margaret University and I was on a 10 week placement with Alzheimer Scotland. During this practice placement, my peer; Emma and I have been working with Active Voice Members from the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN). Emma and I had the pleasure of hosting a conversation with Fiona, a NDCAN member, to share her journey as a family carer, with the aim to raise awareness of keeping the person at the centre of care and improving conditions to support other family carers. I hope you enjoy this first blog helping us get to know who Fiona is. Look out for next week’s blog post to follow Fiona’s story.
In conversation with Fiona.
Fiona’s journey as a member of the National Dementia Carers Action Network is grounded in a lifetime of compassion, dedication, and advocacy. Previously Fiona worked as a Head Teacher in a residential school supporting pupils with additional needs, supporting children with additional support needs. Fiona describes how that role shaped her deeply: she spent years advocating for children who could not always speak for themselves, ensuring they received the right teaching, environments, and support. Today, those same principles guide her as she navigates the complexities of supporting her husband, Ian.
Through her work in schools, Fiona witnessed the powerful impact of high-quality education and the difference skilled, empathetic staff can make. She saw how families’ lives changed when the right structures were in place. That experience built her commitment to advocating for dignity, training, and high-quality support.
Now, those professional foundations have become a compass for Fiona, she knows what good care looks like and she recognises when systems fall short. Her advocacy for Ian is firmly rooted in a career spent ensuring others receive the care and understanding they deserved.
Fiona during our conversation, reminded us, how she remains grounded through her family life. Her grandchildren play a huge role in this, offering joy and normality. Just a few weeks ago, Ian met his new granddaughter for the first time, a precious moment Fiona made sure to capture and treasure. Over the summer, her grandson often stays with her, and together with Ian they continue to build new memories. These family routines help her maintain balance between caregiving and the simple, grounding rhythms of everyday life.
Fiona is also an active member of the National Women’s Register (NWR), an organisation she describes as being for “strong minded, lively minded women”. Her local branch has become an essential source of friendship and support.
The group enjoys a wide range of activities, including:
- a lively WhatsApp group
- meetings with both serious and lighthearted topics
- a walking group
- a book group
- film nights
- informal coffee meet ups
- planning their annual Pride event
This year’s national theme, The Ripple Effect, inspired Fiona to write an article reflecting on how small actions can create wider, lasting change, something that mirrors her own advocacy journey.
Fiona continues to find purpose within her church community, where she leads the Eco Committee and serves as the youth convener. These roles give her structure, responsibility, and meaningful work beyond the demands of caregiving.
Fiona shares how, Ian’s diagnosis of a degenerative brain condition in 2020 soon followed by a diagnosis of Dementia, marked the beginning of a turbulent and emotional journey. Fiona has supported him through multiple transitions: from home to hospital, back home again, then to a care home, and finally to a psychiatric assessment unit, where he is currently living. Each stage required her to adapt, advocate, and rethink what quality of life could look like for Ian. Throughout it all, she has remained a constant; organising, accompanying, and advocating with Ian at every step.
Ian now lives in a 21-bedded hospital ward that Fiona describes as not purpose built for dementia care. Fiona noted this as she states the ward has no windows in the main area other than skylights, limited light, and restricted access to the outdoors. Fiona has been outspoken about the impact such environments have on dignity and wellbeing, particularly for people living with dementia to help with the awareness of time and seasons. Her advocacy is not only for Ian, but for every person on the ward who lacks a voice.
“Part of what keeps me going, keeps me doing what I’m doing, is because these folk can’t speak for themselves. It’s not just Ian that I’m fighting for – it’s about getting things better for everyone.”
To continue to help with Ian’s health and wellbeing, Fiona regularly brings Ian to Reiki sessions, sound baths, and massages in the community. These therapies have had notable positive effects for Ian, helping reduce anxiety, improving his communication, and offering moments of clarity and calm. She also takes him out for coffees, lunches, concerts, and simple pleasures like sitting in the garden with a book and a non-alcoholic beer. Fiona tells us Ian and her do these activities to normalise continuing to do the things they always loved to do together.
Fiona continues to have an ongoing supportive role in Ian’s emotional, physical, and social wellbeing, all shaped by love, resilience, and a lifetime of standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. And as she continues this journey, she does so with determination: still a wife, carer, and always a voice for dignity and better care.
Thank you for reading this blog. It has been a pleasure to listen to Fiona and edit this blog on her behalf.
Reflective question for consideration: what day-to-day activities do you like to do with your loved one?
Contributor: Aoife Gordon, Queen Margaret University, MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) Student.
Look out part 2 of Fiona’s story and her campaign work in next week’s blog posted on the 25th June 2026.
If you want to learn more about NDCAN or join, please visit this link here
You can find the Alzheimer Scotland 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline, for information, signposting and emotional support to people with dementia, their families, friends and professionals here
Allied Health Professionals have created a suite of information resources for people with dementia, their families and carers that you can find here
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