The reality of living with and caring for someone with dementia is extremely tough, and Thorpe St Andrew pensioner Maurice Bartle was among carers who told health secretary Jeremy Hunt more about the difficulties they face when he visited Norwich yesterday.

Kim Briscoe, Health correspondent Saturday, October 20, 2012
6:30 AM

Jeremy Hunt talking to dementia carer

The 72-year-old lives in South Hill Road with his wife Shirley, also 72, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago.

Mr Bartle, a retired maintenance electrician, said: “At the moment we are going through a difficult patch. The wife has got a bit of a rejection of drugs and of me sometimes.”

The pair visit Hammerton Court’s day centre one day a week and Mr Bartle said he valued being able to meet other carers.

The £13m unit, in Bowthorpe Road, has 36 bedrooms and also houses the Norfolk Dementia Care Academy – which aims to be a centre of excellence in training staff and carers to look after people with the illness.

He said: “I have found it ideal, but it’s not for long enough and I wish we could come for longer.

“I have found it very informative and it’s given me a lot of extra information I wasn’t aware of until I came here.”