A FAMILY has celebrated 100-year-old’s birthday has spoken out about the impact dementia has had on their mum and grandma.

Joan Green, originally from Reading, celebrated getting her letter from the Queen for reaching 100 year’s old at Weymss Lodge in Stratton St Margaret.

She worked as a shorthand typist for 14 years and only moved into a care home quite recently, managing

Joan’s son Rob Green, 72, told the Adver about the speed at which the dementia came on.

“She was very out going and sociable, she loved dancing and singing, she would dance to anything,” he said.

“She read a lot, mostly fiction, but she liked history, and was interested in anything astronomical.”

Joan worked as a shorthand typist for 14 years and later supported disabled children in Reading until she retired. She only moved into the nursing home after she began phoning emergency services on a daily basis.

“She became worried about not remembering stuff,” added Rob, “it was particularly quick. She would phone an ambulance twenty times a day and not remember.

“It’s a sad affliction because it just robs you of everything.

“She now needs round the clock care, the staff here are very dedicated though.”

Granddaughter Anna Miles, from Swindon, added: “She was very active until just three or four years ago. She was amazing for her age. She was into politics and she had an opinion on everything.”