Ruth Langsford admits devastating ‘guilt’ over putting elderly mum in care home

This Morning 's Ruth Langsford opened up on the guilt she felt when she put her elderly mum in a care home.

Ruth and co host Eamonn Holmes, both 60, were presenting the advice segment where callers shared their dilemmas with agony aunt Deidre.

One heart-broken caller named Sue said she was concerned as her elderly mother had gone into hospital for pain in her leg, but had developed dementia while still in hospital recovering.

Her mother has now been sectioned and will need to be released into a care home, leaving her daughter terrified about how their relationship will change and if her mum will even recognise her.

Ruth said she felt guilty about putting her mother in a care home as she comforted a caller (ITV)

Ruth's mum Joan is in a care home and they have been unable to physically touch each other during the pandemic, with their contact limited to window visits with a walkie talkie.

"More than anything I feel so guilty," said Sue.

Ruth told her: "Sue, honestly, I know why you would, and we did as a family.

Ruth has previously posted photos of her visits to her mum (Instagram)

"Everybody who faces a loved one going into a care home feels guilt, it's just a human, natural reaction, but you mustn't do because you love your mum so much, clearly.

"You will find her the best care home for her, because you will be choosing it with love and care and what is best for her at the front of your mind.

"And actually, Sue, it becomes a different way of being with your mum, because I am sure you do a lot of caring for her, even before she had dementia.

Ruth and her mum Joan, who is in an assisted living home (Instagram)

"And it's the same with my mum when my dad had Alzheimer's and she looked after him for ten years.

"And when he eventually went into care, which was very hard for all of us, I said, 'You can visit him as his wife, not his carer, you won't have to do those things, it's a different time, a different relationship.

"She might not recognise you straight away, just going from my family experiences, but if you keep her calm, it might take time.

"My dad always knew my mum's voice, even when he didn't know who I was, it was very obvious, he didn't really respond to my sister and I, he just thought we were nice ladies who brought him chocolate."

She added: "It might just take her a bit of time, but I understand what you are going through, it's so hard when you feel like you are losing them."

* This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am