Ruth Langsford, the beloved Loose Women star, recently opened up about one of the most difficult decisions of her life: placing her 94-year-old mother, Joan, into a care home. The heart-wrenching admission came during a powerful segment on Loose Women on April 28, where Ruth joined her co-stars Coleen Nolan, Janet Street Porter, and Judi Love to discuss the emotional topic of “care home guilt.”
In a raw and emotional conversation, Ruth shared the internal struggle she faced when she decided it was time for her mum, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, to receive professional care. “It’s very easy for people to judge when they haven’t been in that position,” Ruth explained. “I’ve been trolled for making that decision. It’s a difficult one, but ultimately you have to do what’s best for them.”
For Ruth, who visits her mum regularly, the decision was not an easy one. She emphasized how challenging it is to make this choice when loved ones might not fully understand. “You feel like you are defending your decision,” she confessed. “I would say, ‘Look, she’s getting the best care, she’s not lonely because I’m not always there.’ But it’s hard because people think it’s easy, and it’s not.”
Ruth spoke about her deep love for her mum, acknowledging that although it was painful, putting Joan in a care home was the best option for both her and her family. “You have to make the decision with love,” she said, “And I also say to people, it’s hard, but you’re doing it with the person’s best interests at heart. My mum is very sociable, she’s not lonely, she has activities and people around her. It’s not like she’s on her own in a house with a carer.”
The emotional conversation resonated with many viewers, particularly those who have faced similar decisions. On social media, Ruth’s words were met with overwhelming support. One viewer shared, “It’s the ones there 24/7 who have to make the hard decisions,” while others expressed how much they could relate to Ruth’s experience.
Ruth’s openness about her family’s struggles with dementia is not new. Over the years, she has been candid about the toll Alzheimer’s has taken on her family. Ruth’s father, Dennis, passed away from the disease in 2012, and now her mother, Joan, is battling it as well. Ruth has shared her fears about potentially developing the disease herself, admitting that sometimes when she forgets something, she worries that it may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
“I lost my darling dad to Alzheimer’s, and now my mum has it too,” Ruth said in a past interview. “Every time I forget something, I think, ‘Is this the start of Alzheimer’s?’ It’s a constant worry, but I try not to focus on it.”
Despite these fears, Ruth remains positive about aging and embraces her age. “I’m 64, and I’m very happy to be 64,” she said. “I don’t fear getting older. I see many active, brilliant older people, and I hope that will be me.”
In September 2024, Ruth participated in the Alzheimer’s Society’s Surrey Memory Walk for the 14th time, raising more than £64,000 for the cause. Her dedication to supporting Alzheimer’s research and her openness about her family’s struggles has made her a strong advocate for dementia awareness.
Ruth’s story highlights the difficult decisions many families face when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Her willingness to share her personal experiences with her viewers helps to shed light on the realities of caregiving, the emotional toll it takes, and the importance of doing what’s best for those we love.
Source: Entertainment Daily
