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Studying for a degree while acting as a full-time carer

At 72 years of age, when many people would be concentrating on enjoying their retirement, Kath Tyldesley decided it was time to study for a degree.

Kath, now 77, explains: “My grandchildren have degrees from Liverpool; Manchester; Salford and London so I was not going to be outdone!”

Kath also had to care full-time for her husband who developed Alzheimer’s disease in 1996. He died in 2001, but studying helped Kath cope with her bereavement.

Kath, who lives in Bolton, said: “Studying with the OU gave me more confidence in my ability. I stopped thinking of myself as “old” as there is no ageism at the OU.

“I found the support from tutors exceptional. I enjoyed the tutorials even when I had difficulty finding support to look after my husband.

“It proves that you are never too old to learn or to take on new challenges.”

Kath is also the secretary of the Dementia Support Group that supports carers of people suffering from Dementia.

This article was created: 21 July 2006.
This article was last edited: 12 July 2007.

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