The head of a task force investigating the care given to people with Alzheimer's disease has spoken of her own heartbreak caused by the disease.

West Sussex County Councillor Nola Hendon is chairing the group set up to look at how services can be developed and improved.

She was the natural choice because both of her parents have been affected by the disease.

Coun Hendon's father George died at the end of last year after a fall and her mother Eileen needs constant care.

She said: "I watched them both slowly disappear from being the parents I know to almost strangers.

"It was a cruel twist of fate that after being married for half a century, each of them should then develop Alzheimer's."

Coun Hendon became aware something was wrong when she came home and found her mother had left a frying pan on the hob.

A few minutes later and the kitchen would have been ablaze.

She said: "This was not my mother. I came home from work one day and my bedroom had been completely turned upside down.

"One day my mother would be fine and the next day she would inexplicably cut up credit cards.

"I remember I would ask her to do something and two seconds later she had totally forgotten and was heading in the opposite direction."

Coun Hendon's father struggled to cope with nursing home visits to his wife.

She said: ""My mother would tell him she hated him and didn't want to see him and the next time that she loved him. It nearly broke his heart.

"Then he too became an Alzheimer's sufferer. He couldn't answer simple questions like do you want a tea or coffee?

"Eventually he struggled even to write his name."

The task force has called in experts for advice as it continues its study, including Alan Matthews from the Alzheimer's Society.

He said: "This is an organic disease and not a mental illness.

"Although there is no cure, anti-dementia drugs can slow its progress. In its early stages, people have the chance to put their affairs in order, even though they are aware they have this illness."

The task force has already called for dementia sufferers to be made a priority in West Sussex because of its ever-growing older population.

Coun Hendon and her team have promised to carry out more research into the issue over the coming year.

County Council deputy leader Mike Coleman, who oversees health issues, said: "Nola is a brave lady to go public about her own experiences.

"What she has revealed will help many people who may be struggling to cope with relatives suffering from Alzheimer's."

  • Coun Hendon tells her story in a specially recorded podcast. To listen to it, click here.

Further information about Alzheimer's can be found at www.alzheimers.org.uk or by calling Mr Matthews on 01903 267902.

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