Barbara Windsor needs 24/7 care as dementia worsens

Much-loved celebrity Dame Barbara Windsor will need 24/7 home care as her Alzheimer’s now means she cannot be left home alone and no longer recognises her house or husband.

'Sorry, who are you?'

Barbara Windsor must be watched around the clock, as her health has worsened since news broke last year that she has Alzheimer’s disease.

“She can’t be left by herself” said her husband Scott Mitchell, speaking on Good Morning Britain.

“She needs me all the time. Life has changed drastically for her. I was helping her out of the bath and she suddenly looked at me, very scared, and said: 'Sorry, who are you?' " he said.

"I have to tell Barbara where she is when she’s in our front room. She asks if she’s been there before”.

While the 81 year-old often forgets who her husband of 25 years is, on 10 January, Mr Mitchell left the house to begin training to run the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon in her honour, to raise money for dementia research.

He will run in the 26-mile race alongside actors who worked with Barbara on popular soap EastEnders.

'My mother is a specialist dementia nurse'

Actors Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Emma Barton, Natalie Cassidy, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter will run in the marathon as part of the Dementia Revolution campaign, to raise £100,000 to fund dementia research.

Actor Kellie Shirley, who played Carly Wicks in EastEnders, began marathon training on 10 January. Kellie Shirley said: “I’ve previously worked in nursing homes and my mother is a specialist dementia nurse, so I’ve seen on a personal level just how much dementia affects people’s lives.

“Barbara really is an inspirational woman. I’ve known her for 15 years now and she was my mentor when we worked together. I’m so proud to have joined the Dementia Revolution. That will keep me going when it gets tough.”

Actor Jake Wood, who played character Max Branning, said: “Barbara is such a wonderful, special friend to me, and this friendship has inspired me to join the Dementia Revolution.

'Devastating' dementia

Barbara Windsor’s long-running career in the public eye includes popular roles on the stage as well as screen such as Carry On films and her love for acting has endured, despite her condition.

“When we go the theatre something happens to Barbara,” said her husband. "When she’s out and it’s like her old self comes in and she sees the public and speaks to everyone and you see that part of her comes alive because it’s what she knows."

Mr Mitchell, who will be running the marathon on 28 April – the day of his 56th birthday - said: “It’s not until it happens on your doorstep that you realise how devastating dementia is. But it’s so important that we understand dementia.

“I hope that by running the marathon for the Dementia Revolution, Barbara’s Revolutionaries will help us achieve this, as well as raising a lot of money to fund vital research happening at the UK Dementia Research Institute."

Dementia is now the country’s leading cause of death. There are currently no effective treatments to slow, prevent or cure the diseases that cause dementia.

He added: “We need to show all our loved ones with dementia, like Barbara, that they are not alone and that we stand with them. We’d love those with ballot places to run for us, those who can to sponsor us, and for all of you to join the revolution. Together, let’s help to find a cure.”

Virgin Money London Marathon ballot place holders can sign-up to run for the Dementia Revolution by clicking here.

Barbara’s Revolutionaries can be sponsored by clicking here.