The Alzheimer’s Society – Dementia Action Week: 17th – 23rd May 2021
The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees the UK public taking action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
To mark this important week we are reflecting on the constructive way Barbara Windsor and her partner approached her dementia and as a result, the positive legacy she has left.
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor sadly passed away from dementia on the 10th December 2020. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her openness about the condition has helped many families cope with having relatives facing the disease. In the wake of her death at the age of 83, representatives from dementia charities and individuals have spoken about the impact Dame Barbara had on others. With 850,00 people in the UK diagnosed with dementia, it is important to have honest conversations about the disease.
The actress and her husband Scott made the decision to go public with her diagnosis in 2018, four years after she found out she had dementia. Since then, Dame Barbara and those close to her have worked to change the perception of the disease and raise money to help find treatments and a cure.
A team of runners, including her husband and colleagues from Eastenders, ran the London Marathon in 2019 in aid of dementia charities. They called themselves Barbara’s Revolutionaries, raising £150,000 and inspiring others with family members battling the disease to take up fundraising challenges.
Dame Barbara’s former co-star Ross Kemp has credited the actress for piquing his interest in dementia. He went on to film a documentary about the condition for ITV, exploring the impact it has on people’s lives.
Support has also been found among many families through the Facebook group set up by Dame Barbara and her husband. Scott has been very active on the site, which has let people facing similar situations connect and share stories.
It is hoped that Dame Barbara’s legacy is a better understanding of dementia and that fundraising efforts will continue in her name. There is currently no cure for the disease, but an early diagnosis helps physicians to slow its onset and allow independent living for as long as possible.
Alcedo Dementia Care
If you have a family member who is suffering from Dementia and are seeking additional support, feel free to call us on 0161 6764555 to find out how Alcedo Dementia Care can help you.
