Meet Amy Kerti – Founder of Empatia Specialist Dementia Coaching
I'm Amy Kerti, a Dementia Specialist Nurse and Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years of experience across clinical care, academic research, education, and national service development. My work has always focused on improving life for people with dementia and their families.
As a Coach, I bring a unique blend of practical insight, advanced education and emotional support. I’ve led the development of four Admiral Nurse services — including a national service for young people with dementia at Imperial College London — and worked as a Consultant Nurse shaping dementia care, policy, and training across the UK.
With an additional BSc in Psychology and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, my approach is grounded in evidence and empathy.
I created Empatia to offer consistent, expert dementia support — helping families build the skills, resilience, and connection needed to face change with confidence.
Specialist Dementia Support Explained
Who I Work With
People living with dementia
Those supporting or caring for someone with dementia
Couples and families navigating changes together
What Makes This Different
Most dementia support focuses on:
Practical care
Basic information
Diagnosing
There is limited support available for:
Distress and behaviour changes
Relationship strain
Emotional impact and adjustment
Support at every stage of illness
This is where I work.
How I Support You
I help you to:
Make sense of what’s happening
Understand symptoms, behaviour changes, and how dementia is affecting everyday life.
Respond differently when things feel difficult
Learn practical, calm approaches that reduce distress, conflict, and escalation.
Stay connected as things change
Protect relationships, roles, and identity — even as dementia progresses.
Manage emotional strain
Work through stress, guilt, frustration, and the ongoing impact of change.
Feel more confident and in control
Develop the skills and understanding to navigate challenges as they arise.
Plan ahead with clarity
Make decisions and adjustments early, so things feel less reactive and overwhelming.
Flexible, Personalised Support
Support is tailored to your situation — not a fixed programme.
National and international: Online sessions
Northamptonshire & South Leicestershire: Home visits or community sessions
Outside this area: Travel available with an additional fee
Access specialist support wherever you are, in a way that works for you.
What to Expect Initial Assessment
We begin with an in-depth session (90 minutes) to understand:
How dementia is affecting daily life
Changes in behaviour, communication, and relationships
The emotional impact on everyone involved
How to manage these changes alongside everyday life and its pressures
This creates a clear, personalised understanding of what’s happening — and what we can work on adapting.
Ongoing Support
Follow-up sessions focus on practical change and emotional support over time, including:
Understanding and responding to behaviour and distress
Building confidence in managing day-to-day challenges
Working through stress, grief, and complex emotions
Strengthening relationships and communication
Planning ahead in a realistic, manageable way
The Outcome
Less distress and fewer difficult situations
Improved communication and connection
Greater confidence in what you’re doing
More stability and clarity moving forward
Contributions to Dementia
Dementia Services
Young-onset dementia; examples of post-diagnostic support across London
Bupa maps out support for those with a recent diagnosis of dementia
Patients who ‘Walk With Purpose’: Developing clinical guidance
Social Care Online | Working 'beyond the walls' of dementia care homes
Press Articles
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Newly recruited Consultant Nurses aim to help the health board deliver gold-standard dementia care
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Consultant Dementia Nurses
North Wales Pioneer
New Betsi Cadwaladr recruits wanting to take dementia care to the next level are keen to hear from families
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
International Women's Day 2022 – Meet some of the inspirational women working for Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board
Dementia UK
The need for greater age-appropriate support
Dementia UK
Jolyon’s story: "My Admiral nurse made me realise that I needed to take care of my mental health"
Dementia UK
Steve’s philosophy on caring
Publications
Nuzum, E., Medeisyte, R., Desai, R., Tsipa, A., Fearn, C., Eshetu, A., ... & John, A. (2024). Dementia subtypes and suicidality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 105995.
Kerti, A (2024). Communication and Dementia. What You Really Want to Know About Working with Dementia: Real Issues and Expert Advice. London and Philadelphia. Jessica Kingsley. pp 63 to 76
Desai, R., Tsipa, A., Fearn, C., El Baou, C., Brotherhood, E. V., Charlesworth, G., ... & John, A. (2024). Suicide and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and risk factors. Ageing research reviews, 102445..
Salmoiraghi A, Kerti A. Is Attachment Theory the Answer to a Complex Healthcare System? BJPsych Open. 2022 Jun 20;8(Suppl 1):S111–2. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.337. PMCID: PMC9378023.