Ruth Langsford has spoken concerning the support that helped her family via one of the troublesome intervals of their lives, opening up about her mother and father’ dementia diagnoses and the aid of discovering individuals who understood what they have been dealing with.
In an interview on the Happy Place podcast, the TV presenter spoke about caring for her mom, Joan, and her late father, Dennis, who have been each recognized with dementia.
Ruth stated native support had been particularly vital, highlighting Alzheimer’s Society companies within the South West.
She instructed host Fearne Cotton: “I’m an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society because they gave us so much help as a family.
“They really helped my mum, especially the Plymouth Branch at the time as she was living near there then when my dad was diagnosed with dementia. They got in touch with her and invited her to go along to Dementia Cafes with my dad.”
Ruth described how a lot it meant to see her mom meet different folks in an identical place.
She stated: “My mum met other partners at the cafe and then they would chat and somebody would say ‘oh what do we do’ then someone else says ‘oh well this is what I do’. You just need people that get it.”
Ruth has been an envoy for Alzheimer’s Society for 17 years and has beforehand spoken overtly about supporting each of her mother and father via dementia.
She has additionally met households affected by the situation at occasions together with the charity’s annual Memory Walk fundraiser.
Explaining why she continues to speak publicly about dementia, Ruth stated: “By me talking about it openly, going to events, writing about it in my book, talking to people at Memory Walk, you hope that you just plant these little seeds and people might learn something. Everything is about awareness.”
Her expertise displays the support provided via native Alzheimer’s Society companies, together with Dementia Advisers, Dementia Cafes and support teams geared toward serving to folks perceive a analysis and stay linked to others.
Alzheimer’s Society south west regional supervisor Cat Medley praised Ruth for talking so overtly.
Cat stated: “We’re grateful to Ruth for shining a light on what so many families in the South West and across the UK are experiencing. A dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming, but no one should face it alone.
“There are nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK. Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be.
“We can’t reach everyone without the continued support of Ruth and our other incredible ambassadors. Our local teams are always here to offer practical advice, emotional reassurance and a community of people who understand.”
Anyone frightened about dementia can name Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456. More info is obtainable at alzheimers.org.uk/beat-dementia
