It was revealed today that Dame Barbara Windsor has Alzheimer’s.The EastEnders and Carry On actress’s husband, Scott Mitchell, broke the news after growing rumours of her worsening health.
Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, and the symptoms have gradually deteriorated. “Since her 80th birthday last August, a definite continual confusion has set in, so it’s becoming a lot more difficult for us to hide,” said Mitchell.
“I’m doing this because I want us to be able to go out and, if something isn’t quite right, it will be OK because people will know that she has Alzheimer’s and will accept it for what it is.”
Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that gradually builds up over time. It is the most common form of dementia (an umbrella term for brain diseases which affect the ability to think, remember and function), making up 62pc of cases. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, with one in six people over the age of 80 suffering.
Sad to hear that Barbara Windsor has Alzheimers. Praying for a breakthrough for all sufferers.
— Shalene Hodder (@Shalene777) May 10, 2018
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early diagnosis can help ease the symptoms, which include behavioral changes and memory loss.
Mitchell says he first detected signs of Alzheimer’s in his wife back in 2009, when she began finding it tough to remember her lines. After rigorous tests on mental agility and a brain scan, doctors diagnosed the disease.
The early signs of Alzheimer’s centre around forgetfulness, which means that often loved ones – whether partners, family or friends – are best-placed to notice behavioral changes. Encouraging your partner to see his or her GP as early as possible is advisable.
Early symptoms
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be divided into three main stages. It can take years to progress from mild to serious and each person will develop them at a different rate.
According to the NHS, early symptoms tend to speak of memory loss:
- Forgetting recent conversations, events or whereabouts of household items
- Forgetting place or object names
- Regular repetition or asking the same question several times
- Poor judgement and finding it tough to make decisions
- Becoming less flexible or resistant to trying new things
- There may also be mood changes, increased anxiety or confusion
Middle-stage symptoms
As the disease develops, memory deteriorates further, with names of loved ones harder to recall. Even recognising friends and family can become difficult.
By now, a sufferer will generally need support to get on with their daily lives – with eating, washing, getting dressed, going to the toilet.
There may also be:
- Increased confusion and disorientation – getting lost, or not knowing what time of day it is
- Obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
- Delusions, paranoia or suspicion of family, friends or carers
- Speech and language problems
- Disturbed sleep
- Frequent mood swings, depression, anxiety, frustration and agitation
- Difficulty in performing spatial tasks like judging distances
- Hallucinations
Late symptoms
The symptoms get more serious in time, and living with Alzheimer’s can become distressing for both the sufferer and family and friends.
Hallucinations and delusions can increase, and people with Alzheimer’s can get violent and more suspicious. Full-time care with eating, moving and using the bathroom is required.
Late-stage symptoms include:
- Finding it hard to eat and swallow
- Difficulty in moving without help
- Weight loss (or weight gain)
- Urinary or bowel incontinence (finding it tough to control)
- Speech loss
- Short- and long-term severe memory problems
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