Community Nurse Erika Slater Celebrates 50 Years of Service Supporting Dementia Patients

A community nurse and grandmother, described as “techno-loving,” who provides support to individuals with young-onset dementia, is marking five decades in her role. Erika Slater, 67, has been characterized by one of her patients in Stockport as “the most kind, caring nurse I could have ever asked for.” Ms. Slater, recognized for her diverse collection of berets and headbands and who identifies as a “former goth,” was inspired to pursue nursing after a visit to A&E prompted her to think, “I could do that.” She stated, “The greatest gift is putting a smile on people’s faces and encouraging people to see the positives in life.” The grandmother of five, who enjoys attending gigs and listening to trance, techno, and disco music, recalled, “I used to be a goth so I’d knock on patients’ doors with my beret, white face, black lips and heavy eyeliner.” Ms. Slater, a resident of Macclesfield, began her training as a nurse cadet in December 1974, having left school without qualifications, after being inspired by nurses during an A&E visit. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she held various positions across the country before becoming a community psychiatric nurse for Pennine Care NHS Trust in Stockport in 2008. Ms. Slater, who has indicated she does not intend to retire until she turns 70 in 2027, works with younger individuals who have developed dementia symptoms in their 40s and early 50s. “It’s quite devastating to be given a diagnosis of dementia because you’re being told you’re going to get worse and there’s no cure.” She added, “But I find I get the greatest joy from working with people and showing them you can live well with dementia.” “I tell them don’t put off what you can do today – live your life now, none of us know what’s round the corner,” she advised. She noted that her job includes joyful moments, even while assisting patients who are frequently in crisis. One such incident occurred when, after dancing with a patient, she attempted to sit on a sofa but missed, ending up “flat on my back and their dog, a big heavy bull terrier, jumped on top of me licking my face.” She recounted that her patient was “laughing his socks off” while his wife commented, “so this our new nurse is it?” Claire Mengell, a colleague of Ms. Slater, described Erika as “a one off” and “a credit to her profession.”