Actress Barbara Windsor was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s back in 2014, but only in the last few days has her husband Scott Mitchell spoken of her diagnosis.
The popular actress and TV personality’s husband explained that he wanted people to understand that if she was out and something didn’t seem quite right, people would understand and accept her situation. Mitchell says that her symptoms have got worse in the last few months, notably since her 80th birthday last August. He describes her symptoms as ‘continual confusion’. Mitchell said that possible signs of the condition were first apparent in 2009 when the actress began to have trouble learning her lines. A series of tests, including a lumbar puncture and a brain scan, revealed the condition.
Speaking on breakfast TV to Lorraine Kelly, Dr Hilary Jones said of the news: ‘A great deal of money has been spent on trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Drugs can delay symptoms for six to 12 months but of course when this happens, it is a relief to everybody to let the secret out. Trying to hide it is a major challenge. Now there is a release they don’t have to pretend that it doesn’t exist. If she becomes forgetful people will understand and they will remind her. But people can live quite well for Alzheimer’s for many years, providing they’ve got the love and support.’