Two daughters who have parents living with Alzheimer’s at Chirk Court care home are encouraging people to get the help they need to care for their loved ones.
The Alzheimer’s Society has reported that around two-thirds of people in care homes have some form of dementia.
Muriel Lloyd and Annie Kerr both have mothers living at the Chirk Court dementia friendly care home in Chirk, near Wrexham, which is run by ClwydAlyn.
Muriel’s mum Annie Harper, who is 93 and a great-grandmother to five, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago after the death of her husband, Frank.
Muriel, who is 70, explained: “As mum’s condition got worse, we had all kinds of issues to contend with. We were worried that she would forget to eat, and it was no longer safe for her to use the cooker.
“Even with the support of carers it was impossible to know she was okay. Mum ended up in hospital and eventually we checked if she’d qualify for support with housing.
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“It was a tough decision at the time, but as soon as we moved into Chirk Court we knew we’d done the right thing for everybody.
“It’s changed our relationship and means we can spend quality time together. I wish I’d reached out for help sooner, so my message for others would be to do the same.”
Mary Roberts, who is also 93, moved into Chirk Court during the Covid-19 pandemic after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Mary’s daughter Annie Kerr, 67, said that it was probably the best decision she’d made.
“While my mum was getting older and her condition was getting worse, I was also getting older and my health was deteriorating,” she said.
“Being an only child I couldn’t look after her as I would have wished as her Alzheimer’s made it very difficult and she would not accept daily carers. On one of my daily visits I found her unconscious in bed. I had to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived; they then took her to hospital.
“The doctor there said she shouldn’t live at home anymore, that was the best thing to hear as it helped convince my mother that additional help was needed."
Annie says her mum’s health has improved since moving into her new home, and that she has put on weight as she’s eating properly again.
She added: “It’s a really cruel condition. It’s terrible for the person, but also their entire family. Sometimes you don’t know where to turn.
“I’d urge anyone who has a loved one with the condition to do all you can to seek help. Nobody should have to deal with this alone.”
Families from across North Wales are being urged to seek support and not suffer in silence during World Alzheimer’s month.
Around 46,000 people in Wales are living with dementia according to the Alzheimer’s Society, with the disease not only having a massive impact on those with the condition, but also their families and loved ones.
Chirk Court, which is based in Chirk, Wrexham, provides homes for 66 people over the age of 60 who need additional support and around-the-clock care.
It specialises in providing housing and support for people with dementia as well as onsite services.
ClwydAlyn worked closely with the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at Stirling University to create a state-of-the-art space designed with the residents' needs in mind.
Lisa Johnson, Care Home Manager at Chirk Court said: “We deal with so many families who have been through incredibly difficult times after a parent or loved has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“We see the guilt people sometimes feel about asking for some extra help, but then we also see the relief when they realise their loved one is safe and looked after with the right level of care. We believe people with Alzheimer’s have a life to live, and we focus on making sure our residents and their families live life to the best at all points of their progression through life with Alzheimer’s.
“It changes people’s relationships and means people can spend quality time with their parents, rather than constantly focusing on care.
“We’d urge anyone who has a family member with the condition to reach out and see what support is available.”
More information on Chirk Court can be found here.
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