It’s a relief to talk about Babs’ dementia, says husband Scott
THE husband of Dame Barbara Windsor says talking about her dementia diagnosis has been “invaluable” for him.
Earlier this month Scott Mitchell confirmed the 80-yearold Carry On and EastEnders icon had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for four years.
He revealed the reason he went public was to break down the stigma surrounding the incurable brain condition.
“For me being able to talk openly about Barbara’s dementia has been invaluable and a huge sense of relief,” he said.
“It is so important we address the stigma surrounding dementia and that we all make small changes in our communities to help people like Barbara to continue to go out and live the life that they want.”
His comments come as a poll found dementia is now the greatest health concern for half of adults.
Many said their life would effectively be over if diagnosed.
Scott, 55, first spotted Barbara’s symptoms in 2009 when as landlady Peggy Mitchell she had difficulty remembering her lines. She left EastEnders in 2016. Scott said: “I know how difficult a dementia diagnosis can be for the person affected and everyone close to them.”
Campaigners launched the first Dementia Action Week yesterday to change public perceptions about the devastating illness. A survey by Alzheimer’s Society found many adults admitted they did not know enough about the condition.
Others said they did not feel confident visiting someone with dementia in a care home or know what to do if a person was struggling in a public place.
Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK – 500,000 have the most common form, Alzheimer’s. Sufferer Pamela Roberts, 61, from Preston, Lancs, said: “There’s a fear of how do I talk to that person?
“But I’m still me. I recognise people and when I can’t, I want to be talked to the same.”