Alex Reid has revealed his mother Carol is battling dementia.
The MMA fighter, 45, took to Twitter on Tuesday to share the heartbreaking news that he has moved her to a care home to receive specialist support.
The TV personality told how her diagnosis feels ‘worse than a bereavement’ and said he is experiencing ‘an immense sense of guilt’ because he wants to do more to help her condition.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
Heartbreaking: Alex Reid has emotionally revealed that his mother, Carol, has dementia (pictured in 2019)
The ex-husband of Katie Price shared a number of headlines surrounding Dame Barbara Windsor, 82, who was moved to a care home last week amid her battle with dementia.
Alex tweeted: ‘I know how it feels moving mum into a home with dementia it’s worse than bereavement as they’re still here & so lost. (sic)
‘You feel an immense sense of guilt to want to do more I see how scared mum sometimes is, wanting to come home, but I see she how she is adapting & her quality of life improve.’ (sic)
Alex’s 189K followers were quick to share their support and well-wishes to the sports star. With one fan tweeting: ‘Pls don’t feel guilty. You just want to give her what she needs right now and it’s the best for her and her needs. (sic)’
Emotional: The MMA fighter, 45, took to Twitter on Tuesday to share the heartbreaking news and added that he has moved her to a care home to receive specialist support (Carol pictured in March)
Raw: Alex admitted that the process has been ‘worse than bereavement’ and that he feels an ‘immense sense of guilt’
On Friday, Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband, Scott Mitchell, revealed she had moved to a full-time residential care home two weeks ago and he was ‘heartbroken’.
Alex previously spoke about his mother’s dementia battle in March where he shared a sweet Instagram video of her in hospital meeting one of his pet dogs.
The fighter admitted that he was ‘extremely worried’ due to the coronavirus pandemic and it was a ‘really challenging’ time.
In the news: The ex-husband of Katie Price shared a number of headlines surrounding Dame Barbara Windsor, 82, who was moved to a care home last week amid her battle with dementia (pictured with husband Scott Mitchell in 2017)
He penned: ‘Two weeks ago, one of my little girls Lola, met her grandma, and they both loved it! I’m sad we haven’t visited mum for two weeks.
‘In this really challenging time, I’m extremely worried about my mum who’s suffering with Alzheimer’s. She’s being cared for by some wonderful care staff who have to come in pairs 4 times a day, I’m grateful for them.
‘We don’t know what we would do with out them, they have got my mum to eat again. Mum is extremely vulnerable, bed bound and especially with fibrosis in her lungs, so things are very uncertain with the coronavirus. I don’t know when I can come back to my family home.’
He added: ‘Follow my journey on my YouTube discovering what we can do if dementia comes your way Happy Mother’s Day mum xx.’
Alex also shared a video to his YouTube channel called ‘An Introduction to “THIS IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE” A Documentary by Alex Reid’ where he explained what dementia is, what care is available and how to get diagnosed.
Tragic: It’s been a challenging few years for Alex after he lost his father Bob in 2016 and he has also suffered five miscarriages with his fiancée Nikki Manashe (pictured in August 2019)
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
It’s been a challenging few years for Alex after he lost his father Bob in 2016 and he has also suffered five miscarriages with his fiancée Nikki Manashe.
Last month, Nikki revealed she is ‘just desperate to be a mum’ after the couple’s IVF treatment was put on hold again following new test results.
The couple have already undergone four IVF cycles in their journey to become parents.
In a heartbreaking new development, the couple were told via video call by Dr Venkat at the Harley Street Fertility Clinic, that Nikki had a high number of the cells that causes her body to ‘fight pregnancy like an infection’.
The couple originally were forced to put their treatment on hold when their clinic closed its doors at the start of the coronavirus lockdown in March.
Supportive: Last month, Nikki revealed she is ‘just desperate to be a mum’ after the couple’s IVF treatment was put on hold again following new test results
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society