Miriam Margolyes has opened up about her late father Joseph’s battle with dementia in support of Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity.
The charity’s research shows that 900,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia and by 2040 1.6 million people will be living with the condition in the UK, with many millions more carers, partners, families and friends affected.
The TV personality has shared details of her father’s experience to highlight a series of adverts featuring couples affected by dementia who have vowed to stay together in ‘sickness and in health’.
Speaking emotionally, Miriam shared the memory of when her father began showing symptoms of dementia.
‘When my father developed his symptoms in his early 90s, I had a feeling that something was wrong, but I tried to push it away.
Miriam Margolyes, 82, has shared heartbreaking details of her father’s dementia as she opens up in support of Alzheimer’s Society (Miriam pictured with her father Joseph)
Describing the disease, Miriam said: ‘I didn’t know what it was then – but the illness that had taken hold of him had a vice like grip, and my father was no longer the man I knew. It was utterly devastating’
‘It was only when neighbours phoned me and said Daddy was on their doorstep saying that they were in his house, that I realised he couldn’t be left on his own anymore and that Alzheimer’s – I didn’t know what it was then – but the illness that had taken hold of him had a vice like grip, and my father was no longer the man I knew. It was utterly devastating.’
Discussing how the disease progressed, she explained: ‘Every now and again I had glimpses of the Daddy who had looked after me and had been my support and my rock. But very little; he became more and more of a shell and a husk.
‘It wasn’t fair because he was a good, kind, loving man and he just seemed to disappear in front of my eyes. I couldn’t deal with it – I didn’t know what to do or who to ask.’
The emotional ad for Alzheimer Society, narrated by actor Colin Firth, shows the realities of living with dementia as a wife cares for her husband as the condition gets progressively worse.
Miriam also opened up about how her father’s dementia changed the couple’s relationship.
‘Unfortunately as you get older and when illness strikes, the whole basis of your relationship changes. Dependency changes, expectation changes, capacity changes.
‘The person that you fell in love with and longed to be with when you began your love affair, then at the end of your lives, there is a stark realisation that things have changed utterly and forever.
The star, who is in a relationship with Heather Sutherland, added: ‘I have been with my partner for 54 years and I hope we will be until we are both corpses!’
Discussing how the disease progressed, she explained: ‘Every now and again I had glimpses of the Daddy who had looked after me and had been my support and my rock. But very little; he became more and more of a shell and a husk’ (Miriam pictured with her parents)
She added: ‘It wasn’t fair because he was a good, kind, loving man and he just seemed to disappear in front of my eyes. I couldn’t deal with it – I didn’t know what to do or who to ask’
Miriam also opened up about how her father’s dementia changed the couple’s relationship (Miriam and her mother)
The star, who is in a relationship with Heather Sutherland, added: ‘I have been with my partner for 54 years and I hope we will be until we are both corpses!’
‘I think it is just joyous to know someone that well, to trust someone that much and to know that you are loved. Life is sweeter shared.’
Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society Kate Lee said: ‘We’re so grateful to supporters like Miriam for sharing their personal stories about dementia to raise awareness of this devastating condition.
‘One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia and it’s the UK’s biggest killer. Through our Ultimate Vow campaign, we want everyone to know that Alzheimer’s Society is here to provide help and hope.
‘But we can’t do it without support. Please donate today at alzheimers.org.uk so we can reach even more people affected by dementia.’
A third of us will develop dementia in our lifetimes. Alzheimer’s Society vows to help end the devastation caused by dementia. Visit alzheimers.org.uk for more information or to donate.
