The husband of Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear has spoken about the pain of watching his fun-loving wife "slowly fading away" following her dementia diagnosis.
Scott Brand has shared his experience of the condition in conjunction with a new Alzheimer’s Society UK campaign, featuring a TV advert voiced by actor Colin Firth.
The advert, titled The Long Goodbye, focuses on the harsh reality of the disease’s progression which causes loved ones to "die again, and again, and again".
It is a theme echoed by Brand’s own experiences.
"I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been – the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went, and the smile that lit up every room," he said.
"All of this is now slowly fading away and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration.
"Julie now struggles recognising people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott’.
"Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping – all these losses for me symbolise the Long Goodbye."
Goodyear was a staple on Coronation Street for over 25 years, as the Rovers Return’s no-nonsense landlady Bet Lynch.
The 81-year-old was renowned for her trademark leopard-print clothing and glamorous looks both on and off screen, but Brand said dementia has caused a lack of interest in her appearance.
"Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make up.
"But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print," he said.
Goodyear married Brand, her fourth husband, in 2007.
Brand said after she was diagnosed with dementia, which he announced publicly last June, he initially "refused to accept any support" before realising "I couldn’t do it by myself".
"I had to give up work to become Julie’s full-time carer," he said.
"I wasn’t coping and needed to seek support.
"Caring for Julie is my priority, but my health was being affected and as a lone carer I felt it was ‘killing me’.
"Julie had always dealt with the finances but now she cannot even recognise the value of money.
"I was suddenly thrown into having to sort out all the household affairs, something Julie had always managed with ease and perfection.
"It was like being thrown into a new world of having to do everything by myself.
"I would advise anyone going through this journey to accept help straight away."
Brand said Dementia Advisers provided through Alzheimer’s Society helped him to navigate the new situation, saying: "I couldn’t have managed without it".
"Without this support I really don’t know how I would have coped – it was a lifeline when we both needed one and continues to be so," he added.
Anyone worried about dementia can visit dementia.ie
