Tanya Franks: ‘We focus on the love’
EastEnders’ Tanya Franks talks about her step-dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s in the run-up to Christmas...
Tanya Franks, AKA Rainie Cross in EastEnders, is someone you hear little about, beyond the soap she stars in. Yet now, the actress has decided to speak out on a subject devastatingly close to her heart - Alzheimer’s disease. As well as being a friend of EastEnders icon Barbara Windsor, for whom she ran the London Marathon in April, Tanya’s beloved step-dad, Derek, was diagnosed six years ago with the same condition. Full of adoration for the man who has been a father to her since her teenage years, Tanya opens up about the dayto-day challenges of his condition – particularly as they approach the festive season...
Tanya, tell us about your personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease…
My step-dad, Derek, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. At the time, we didn’t know much about it. I had a friend whose father-in-law was going through it, so I rang him for advice. Then, we found the Alzheimer’s Society. They have a brilliant service, the Alzheimer’s Society Helpline, for people that may need to speak to somebody over Christmas. They also have an online community, Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Talking Point, for those that need to talk 24/7 – including people with dementia, so they feel less isolated.
It’s sad there is such taboo surrounding Alzheimer’s, don’t you think?
It is. I hope I can do my bit to open up the conversation. There are 850,000 people in this country with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s the biggest killer in this country, so why should people feel they can’t talk about it? I’m a very private person – I don’t tend to talk about my personal life – but working with Dementia Revolution, a joint initiative between Alzheimer’s UK and Alzheimer’s Research, I’ve become very aware of how that has opened up the conversation about dementia across the UK.
Tell us about Derek – has he played an important part in your life?
Oh, he’s just an amazing man. He’s been a major part of my life since I was 13. We’re very close and I adore him. It’s very sad that this is happening to him – but we stay very strong as a family, we really try to take each day as it comes, and find joy where we can. It’s all about the love.
How is he doing at the moment?
Well, we’re six years on from his diagnosis, and there’s been progression – it’s a progressive disease, after all. But we talk things through as a family – and that includes Derek. Right now, he’s frustrated with
arithmetic. He was a design engineer by trade, so he’s been dealing with numbers and figures all his life.
Has it been very hard for him to accept?
The problem is, he’s wanted to keep doing everything he always has done, bless him. So, it’s hard to stop him climbing up ladders and doing DIY. But it’s dangerous for him now – he’s 87! He is, physically, a fit man – it’s the brain that has this disease. But now, he can’t see things ahead of him – anything below his knees to the ground makes his mind just blank it out completely. He trips over things, grazes his shins. The weird thing is, the brain doesn’t always tell him he’s feeling pain. Half the time, he doesn’t know he’s been hurt.
It must be so painful for you to see…
It is… of course, it is. Mum is the one dealing with this on a 24/7 basis, though. That’s tough, because she’s always having to watch out for what he’s doing. Just a couple of days ago, Derek decided he wanted to shred all of his old receipts and credit cards. But he went to the back of the garden and just wanted to set them alight – without any sense of safety!
It’s Christmas soon. Will you be approaching the festive season differently?
Yes, there will be as little rushing about as possible! We’ll try to focus on routine. This year, we’re actually going away to a hotel that we’ve been to a few times, because then it’s familiar to Derek, and Mum won’t have to worry about slaving away in the kitchen! I just want them to have some chill-out time. I’m really aware of spending holidays with Derek… we just don’t know what the future holds.
Is he still aware of seasons, like Christmas?
Yes – he’s still very aware of time. And some of the things he can still do would surprise you. He still plays the piano, beautifully. Everything from The Godfather theme to big band tunes from the Fifties… but he does get frustrated when he’s having a bad day and can’t play so well! Come Christmas, I’m hoping he can tinkle the ivories and play us a little carol or two – that would make us all smile.
l The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Helpline provides vital support at Christmas. To donate, visit alzheimers. org.uk/christmas-gift.