A WORRIED son whose father went missing twice because of his Alzheimer's disease is has made an impassioned plea for help in how to deal with the illness.
A WORRIED son whose father went missing twice because of his Alzheimer's disease is has made an impassioned plea for help in how to deal with the illness.
In the latest ordeal for the family, 82-year-old Eric Jay, of Garden Place, Shotley, triggered a massive search mission after he disappeared while out walking on Monday afternoon.
He was eventually found safe and well in a field several miles from his home, but he could not remember what had happened to him.
It came just a week after a very similar scenario which ended when a police dog found Mr Jay in a field near Erwarton.
His son, Trevor, 58, of Orwell View, Shotley, has expressed his concerns about the effect Alzheimer's is having on his father and wants to find a solution without resorting to drastic measures such as a care home.
He is also keen to preserve his father's independence and has looked at possibly investing in a tracker device so the family can keep an eye on his movements.
Trevor said: “The majority of the time my father is perfectly okay. He can often enjoy his three or four-mile walks without any problem.
“We have got to do something about it but we haven't got an answer. A care home would disorientate him and would cause a major upset.”
The family has however been given a boost by news of a successful drug trial on the disease.
In preliminary tests, Rember has been shown to slow the rate of mental decline in patients by up to 81 per cent.
Trevor said: “It is marvellous. It could transform a number of lives. Unless you have lived with someone with Alzheimer's you can't comprehend the effect it has.”
A spokesman for the Ipswich and East Suffolk branch of the Alzheimer's Society said they would be happy for the family to contact them and they would look into providing an outreach worker to help them.
If you have any ideas for Eric's family, please call Trevor Jay on 01473 787619.
Are you difficulties coping with the effect of Alzheimer's disease? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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