A FORMER nurse who has spent years caring for her husband has called for the authorities and residents to unite and open a bespoke centre for dementia care in Teesdale.
Roselyn Pirrie, from Barnard Castle, has spent years caring for her husband, William, at their home on Queen Street.
The former cancer nurse has spent years doting on her husband through the latter stages of dementia – turning him in bed when she could, feeding him and providing for his basic needs.
But Mr Pirrie has now been moved to a care home and his wife has found visiting him difficult. She said she had been “found out” by gaps in provision and her experiences have prompted her to launch a fundraising effort for a bespoke dementia care centre in Barnard Castle.
The 77-year-old added: “I kept him safe but I know he’s in the best place now.
“But I may have to move nearer to him – what we need is dementia care in Barney.
“It does need a facility where it will be noisy in parts but could be a happy place with people who know how to deal with all the stages and changes. Dementia patients do have likes and dislikes like everyone else and it could be done.”
Mrs Pirrie explained a centre could provide a space for carers and patients to go for facilities and respite on the doorstep of many town folk.
When it came to a site, she did not think the Richardson Hospital would be suitable due to noise created and the need for peace and quiet.
However, she touted the former Sure Start Children’s Outreach Centre, in Galgate, as a potential spot for a new centre. The building is now empty.
She said: “We need it so we need not travel every day – I have lived with my husband for 57 years and I need to see him to make sure he’s well.
“Travelling all those miles backwards and forwards is very strenuous and nursing now is not what we knew as nursing care. I cry from the heart – he has provided me with everything I ever had in life.
“Getting a round trip costs £15 and if I was to go seven days a week my pension would not last very long.”
The patient transport facility, run by volunteers, has allowed Mrs Pirrie to visit Willie at a reduced price for the time being. Contemplating living on her own has also been tough for the retired health worker – but she has remained stoic in the face of adversity.
“Dementia can happen to any of us, rich or poor at any time,” she added.
Mrs Pirrie also paid tribute to outgoing Alzheimer’s Society carer Nicky Tulloch for all her work for dementia care in the town. She hoped the people of Barnard Castle could contribute towards a new centre to help dale folk with dementia. Mrs Pirrie added: “They are not matchstick men, they are people – whether they have dementia or not, they still have requirements and I know wives would be happy to see their husbands where they were in a home to have meals and wash their clothes properly.
“The people of Barney are open handed and the money will appear.”
If you would like to help, contact Roselyn Pirrie on 01833 690498.
