The husband of Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear has revealed the pain of watching his beloved wife “slowly fade” after being diagnosed with dementia.

Scott Brand shares his experience in a new Alzheimer’s Society campaign, which features a TV ad voiced by British actor Colin Firth.

The ad, titled The Long Goodbye, shows the harsh reality of disease progression – leading to loved ones dying “over and over again”.

“I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie was – her larger-than-life personality wherever she went and her smile that lit up every room,” Brand said.

“All of that is slowly disappearing now and it’s very painful for me to watch this deterioration.

“Julie now has trouble recognizing people and everyone she meets is called ‘Scott’.

“Not being able to go out spontaneously as a couple, holding hands for a walk, eating together, shopping together – all of this symbolizes a long goodbye to me.”

Shadow of my former self

Goodyear plays Bet Lynch, a no-nonsense landlady in “The Homecoming.” coronation street More than 25 years.

The 81-year-old former actress was known for her leopard-print outfits and stunning looks on and off screen, but her husband said dementia had led to a lack of interest in her appearance.

“Jolie has always been stunning and couldn’t go anywhere without makeup.

“But now lipstick and makeup are no longer used, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially leopard print,” Brand said.

Brand is Goodyear’s fourth husband, and they married in 2007.

‘I couldn’t cope’

He revealed he initially “refused to accept any support” Goodyear Diagnostics Before realizing “I can’t do this myself.”

“I had to give up my job and become Julie’s full-time caregiver,” he said.

“I couldn’t cope and needed to find support.

“Caring for Julie was my priority but my health was suffering and as a lonely carer I felt it was ‘killing me’.

“Julie has been dealing with financial issues, but now she can’t even recognize the value of money,” he added.

“I suddenly had to deal with all the household chores and Julie always handled them with ease and perfection.

“It was like being thrown into a new world where you had to do everything yourself.

“I recommend anyone who is going through this journey to get help immediately.”

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‘There is still hope’

Kate Lee, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This campaign aims to shine a light on the unvarnished truth about the devastation caused by dementia and the many people affected by the disease. a little.

“Loved ones of people with dementia often describe it as ‘living grief’ as the relentless progression of the disease leads to the death of part of the patient…over and over again.

“But there is hope.

“The Alzheimer’s Society, through its support services, helps people who have been affected time and time again to help them face the harsh reality of a long goodbye.”

According to the National Health Service (NHS) in England, dementia is a collective term for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline in brain function.

This condition affects memory, thinking and other mental abilities.