Actor Anne-Marie Duff has opened up about her brother Eddie having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Annie-Marie, 54, has spoken about the condition over the years and previously shared that Eddie, 56, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s almost a decade ago. She has raised awareness of it amid her family’s own experience.
In an interview released this week, the BAFTA winner, who is well known for her roles in shows like Shameless and more recently Bad Sisters, updated Eddie about his infancy. Anne-Marie said that although the situation is “sad”, they are still making “precious memories”.
Speaking to the Times, Anne-Marie said she felt “infuriated and afraid” when her brother appeared unable to keep ‘ his life under control ‘ in his forties. According to some, he would travel to the incorrect bus or arrive at work late.
Anne-Marie said that “all sorts of suspicions were aroused” by his behaviour, including questions over whether he was drinking or taking drugs, and if he needed therapy to move forward. She said: “Why couldn’t he keep it together”?
Eddie however ended up being diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s, the outlet adds, and Anne-Marie said he could not “accept” it. She said: “It was sad, because he couldn’t accept it and he couldn’t fully comprehend it”. She said that the condition – which affects brain functions, like memory and speech – is “quite aggressive” when “very early onset”.
The Times reports that because Eddie had no job at the time of his diagnosis, as well as no partner or children to look after him, he was provided state-funded, supported housing. He is said to have his own apartment with a shared kitchen, and care staff visit him during the week.
However, now that he’s in his fifties, his condition is said to have improved. According to the outlet, Anne-Marie and their family have been “in the midst of a nightmare” searching for more specialized care for Eddie seven days a week.
Anne-Marie, whose parents are said to live close by to their son, said that they are “always giggling” and “always laughing” despite the challenges. She said: “You will get precious memories, even though the memories are cobwebs”.
She previously addressed the situation on the BBC Radio 4 program Woman’s Hour in December. She said: “We’re at a point now where he’s going to need much more care. So we’re applying for that. So we’re going through that difficult process”. “My heart goes out to anyone who is going through just the admin and the logicists of everything,” Anne-Marie continued.
Elsewhere in the BBC Radio interview, she said: “I’d say he’s been living with it for about 14 years and he’s only a couple of years older than me, so that tells you how young he was. And he was diagnosed with that about eight or nine years ago.
Discussing her experience, she said: “It’s very, very difficult because you are watching somebody slowly vanish before your eyes, but the love doesn’t vanish. I once said that the presence of love in the room is one of its gifts.
Anne-Marie described the charity Alzheimer’s Society and other organisations as “phenomenal”. She urged caregivers and those with Alzheimer’s to think about reaching out to these organizations with any inquiries or “even just to talk.”
Dementia UK offers support and guidance if you have been impacted by this tale.
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