Today, I had the opportunity to attend a 'Become a Dementia Friend' event at a local solicitor’s office. To be completely honest, my knowledge of dementia was limited. Most of what I knew came from news reports, but as I've learned with many topics, those sources often fail to convey the full reality.

Two Stories About Dementia

The event was presented by Sarah Swift, a speaker who shared two stories that really stood out to me.

Story 1: Understanding the Man Behind the Shouts

The first was about a man in a care home who would often shout at people as they passed by. At first, the staff didn’t know how to respond and ended up ignoring him, which left him feeling isolated and confused. Later, they learned that he had worked in bomb disposal, a role where he guided others safely through dangerous areas. Armed with this new understanding, the staff began engaging with him in a way that resonated with his past. They would ask, “Is it safe to step here?” or “Where should we go?” and this shift in their approach completely changed his experience. He no longer felt invisible. Instead, he felt valued, like he was still protecting and guiding others.

Story 2: Dementia is Not One-Size-Fits-All

The second story highlighted that dementia isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Each person's experience with dementia is unique and is shaped by a variety of factors, including their background, personality, and life history. Sarah shared an example of an elderly woman in her 80s who had put an electric kettle on the hob. Instead of treating this as a mistake, the carers recognised that she was simply living in a different time—her memories were rooted in the 1960s, when whistling kettles were common. So, rather than taking her independence away, they gave her a whistling kettle she could safely use, allowing her to continue in a way that made sense to her.

The Importance of Truly Understanding People

What I learned today can be summed up in a simple yet profound truth: the importance of truly understanding the individual person. It’s about stepping into their shoes, seeing the world through their eyes, and recognising what makes them feel safe, heard, and valued. How can we support or help anyone if we don’t take the time to understand them first?

Financial Planning: More Than Just Numbers

This same idea is at the heart of financial planning—and it’s why I started my own financial planning company. Financial advice shouldn’t just be about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about understanding the life those numbers are meant to shape. It’s about what money really means to you—how it can help you achieve your personal dreams, goals, and the things that matter most in your life.

Freedom: A Personal Value

For me, one of my top values is freedom. Freedom to choose how I spend my time, where I invest my energy, and the direction I want my life to go. And that’s what I want for the people I work with too. Financial planning is not only about making your money work best for you. It's about aligning your money with your values—not with what society tells you to do, but with what genuinely makes you happy and fulfilled. When we take the time to understand not just the numbers, but the person behind those numbers, that’s when we can make a real difference.

Our Unique Relationship with Money

We all have a unique relationship with money—shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and even the way we grew up. These perceptions influence how we feel about money and, more importantly, how we use it. For money to become a positive tool that helps you build the life you truly want, we need to dive into your story. It’s not just about saving or investing; it’s about understanding your unique situation, your dreams, and what truly matters to you.

Why Financial Planning is Personal

That’s why financial planning is never one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s journey is different, and so is their financial plan. What’s meaningful to one person might not be to another, and that’s exactly why it’s so important to create a plan that reflects your values, your goals, and your vision for the future. Financial planning is personal because your life is personal. It’s about crafting a path that’s as unique as you are.