TV star Anne-Marie Duff has opened up about her brother’s battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s, describing it as a “distressing” health struggle.
The Bad Sisters actress appeared on Breakfast on Tuesday (March 4) where she shared the heartbreaking story of her brother Eddie’s diagnosis in his forties, and his subsequent need for specialist care.
“Generally speaking he doesn’t know who I am, but he knows that we have something special, and I find that magic,” Anne-Marie told correspondent Tim Muffett.
She went on to express her concern for her parents’ impending heartbreak, saying: “You can’t kid yourself that that’s not down the road at some point, and I worry about my mum and dad and how much heartbreak they will experience when they lose their boy, because they will lose their boy.”
Don’t miss…
Anne-Marie Duff appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (March 4) (Image: BBC)
Anne-Marie also revealed that Eddie’s symptoms began around 15 years ago, but due to his age, dementia was not initially suspected.
“Your first thought will never be dementia when somebody’s in their early forties. You start thinking, ‘Is somebody drinking? Are they taking drugs? Are they maybe having a bit of a breakdown?'” she said.
“And then the world started to fall apart around him. He lost his job, and because he lost his job, he lost his home,” reports .
Anne-Marie was performing at the National Theatre when she received a call from her GP, informing her that her brother had suffered a panic attack at the practice.
“They admitted him for about three weeks, it was very clear that he was living with a form of dementia,” she said.
Don’t miss…
Anne-Marie Duff’s brother Eddie was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in his forties (Image: BBC)
Discussing the hurdles faced since her brother Eddie’s diagnosis, Anne-Marie revealed: “I’m in the throes of trying to find him full-time residential care, a care home right now, and I’m really struggling.”
Currently in supported living, Eddie now requires more “intensive” and “supportive” care, which has been a challenge to find due to his young age.
Anne-Marie, who is a proud supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society, offered advice to others with family members suffering from dementia: “You do not have the expertise to look after somebody in the late stages of dementia. You do not and must not feel guilty about that. Love, the most enormous, oceanic level of love is never going to make you be able to deal with it.”
She concluded: “Get your friends on board or other members of your family, lean on them because you’re going to need all the cuddles in the world, I’d say. The communication of love transcends words, so although [Eddie] might not know who I am some days, most days – he knows I love him.”
Breakfast airs daily on One at 6am
If you are affected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer, trained staff at the are ready to give you the support you need on 0333 150 3456