Stan Lintern has had Alzheimer's disease for 10 years. He is cared for by his wife Denise, who helped set up the Maidstone branch of the Alzheimer's Society and runs the helpline. Last year, she was awarded an MBE for services to her local community. They have three children.

"I was 49 when Stan was diagnosed. He'd been having problems with his memory for a bit and, after taking early retirement, he was lacking in motivation. We thought it was due to him missing his work. His behaviour began to be a bit odd at times, so when I was seeing our GP, I mentioned it. The GP suggested that Stan go for an appointment. After about six months of extensive tests, Stan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"It was a devastating shock, but also good because at least we knew what we were dealing with. It had been horrible not knowing what was causing his weird behaviour.

"For the first few years, we carried on with normal life. Stan was a Premier League table tennis player and he still enjoyed doing that. He continued to drive and we went on lots of holidays. He was a very meticulous man and liked everything to be 'just so'. But, as the Alzheimer's took over, he just decided he wasn't going to do things any more. I think he thought that if he couldn't do it the way he liked to do it, he wasn't going to bother anymore.

"Every time there has been a big change with Stan, I have to stop and take stock. Stan needs full-time care now. He's in a wheelchair and needs to be fed. He doesn't speak anymore and I'm not sure that he understands what I'm saying. I have some outside help during the week, but mostly it's down to me.

"We still go away. I have a hoist for getting him around indoors and a transporter 'truck' with a hydraulic tail lift to go out in. We still like going to Holland to see my cousins and their families, and visiting various places in the UK. The only thing we don't do is fly anywhere. I don't feel a prisoner because I've made sure that I can be independent and that we can get away. Stan is always more awake and aware when we're doing something different."