Crippling care costs faced by dementia sufferers have been branded a disgrace by the husband of Dame Barbara Windsor.
Scott Mitchell said it was especially hard for families to cope because of a lack of support when a loved one had Alzheimer's Disease - which afflicts EastEnders legend Barbara, 82.
He is calling for people to sign an open letter that he and Barbara will deliver to the Prime Minister.
And he said: “It really seems this is the disease of punishment.”
Scott spoke after an emotional meeting with Val Pickford, whose partner Ivana Cooke lives with dementia in a care home.
The pair bonded as Val, from North Somerset, talked about coping as Ivana’s condition progressed.
Scott, 56, told her: “What is amazing Val, is what you’re saying is what I’m going through right now with Barbara”.
Val has to pay £1,300 a month out of her savings for Ivana’s care. Scott and Val agreed that politicians must fix the devastating state of social care, MirrorOnline reports.
He said: “Not only do people live with it and go through the terror and horror – their loved ones caring for them do too. But on top of that people have to give up their jobs and sell their homes, sell their parents’ homes they have worked all their lives for. It’s a disgrace.
“We call on the public to help us end this injustice and sign our open letter that myself and Barbara will deliver to the Prime Minister next week.”
Carry On star Barbara, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2014, added: “My heart goes out to the many, many people who are really struggling to get the care they so desperately need. Please join us, and sign our letter – let’s do everything to sort this out.”
Alzheimer’s Society’s Jeremy Hughes said: “Our open letter is a hugely important step towards ensuring the overhaul of our threadbare system.
He added: “We urge as many as possible to sign it and pledge their support before we hand it to No. 10.”
* Join Alzheimer’s Society’s Fix Dementia Care campaign and sign the open letter here.
