A South Shields man has spoken of how his wife's dementia meant "our old life was gone", but thanked new nurses for "cutting through" and providing respite support when he badly needed it.
Richard Bainbridge, 80, has been married to Geraldine for almost 60 years. Heartbreakingly, three years ago Geraldine - well-known locally as chair of the South Shields Amateur Operatic Society - was diagnosed with dementia.
Since then, her condition has worsened, but Richard - a retired social worker - said the support from a new team of Admiral Nurses had helped them both cope. Speaking about his wife's illness, he said: "We knew something was wrong, but it took time to pluck up the courage to ask for a diagnosis. I was confident we could cope, but this proved not to be the case at all.
Read more: Joe McElderry speaks about mental health as he announces Durham Cathedral fundraising gig
"Our old life was gone, and as the dementia worsened, the isolation got worse too. I wasn't aware of many services, even as an ex-social worker – everything had changed since I retired, and I desperately needed a break."
However, the recently-launched Admiral Nurse team in South Tyneside - hosted South Tyneside Health Collaborative, with support from Dementia UK and the NHS 's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board - is now helping people like Richard and Geraldine by running respite sessions. These allow carers a break, and help those with dementia to enjoy time in the community.
Richard added: "She was one of the first to get a place, and it's been very positive. Geraldine can't tell me if she enjoys the sessions but they seem to be a pleasant experience. The first time I just came home and slept. Sometimes I come home and rest quietly, other times I pop to the shops or go for a walk along the river in Durham.
"People cope because they have to. It's not easy to access support but the Admiral Nurses seem to be able to cut a route through all that. I'm glad the advice and support is there for people in the future."
Dr Jim Gordon, a local GP and mental health lead for the NHS's ICB, said: "Getting a dementia diagnosis can be a huge shock to patients and their families, who often struggle to accept what is happening and the difficulties it brings. This small team can make a big impact, not just for patients but for carers who can become isolated and highly stressed."
With almost a million people living with dementia in the UK - and this set to increase - the the new Admiral Nurses will also be able to offering advice and link families up to respite care and other support. Bob Cochrane, a regional account manager at charity Dementia UK, said the team would "help people stay independent for longer.
He added: "The last few years have placed increasing pressure on local services that support families with dementia. This has left many struggling to cope with no one to turn to for support."
READ NEXT:
