Actress Julie Goodyear ‘slowly fades away’ as she grapples with dementia
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When we think of the vibrant personalities that have graced our screens and lives, it's hard to imagine them any other way.
Yet, the reality of dementia is that it can touch anyone, even the most dynamic individuals like actress Julie Goodyear.
Her husband, Scott Brand, has recently shared the heart-wrenching journey of watching his once fun-loving wife 'slowly fading away' after her dementia diagnosis.
This personal story aligned with the United Kingdom’s Alzheimer’s Society's new campaign, poignantly voiced by British actor Colin Firth and titled The Long Goodbye.
The campaign shed light on the devastating progression of dementia, a condition that can feel like losing a loved one 'again, and again, and again’.
Brand's experience is a testament to this.
‘I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been–the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went and the smile that lit up every room,’ he said.
‘All of this is now slowly fading away, and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration.’
‘Julie now struggles recognising people, and everyone she meets is called “Scott”.’
‘Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping–all these losses for me symbolise The Long Goodbye.’
The 81-year-old was famous for wearing leopard-print clothes and looking glamorous on and off the screen. But her husband mentioned that because of dementia, she doesn't care much about her appearance anymore.
‘Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make-up,’ he said.
‘But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.’
Her husband first talked about her dementia diagnosis last summer.
‘My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis,’ he shared.
‘Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time, and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation—and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.’
‘We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out,’ he added.
‘Inevitably, she is recognised, and fans love to meet her–and she, them–but she can get confused, particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.’
Dementia is not just a single disease but a syndrome encompassing a range of symptoms that lead to a decline in brain function. It can affect memory, speech, thinking, emotions, and behaviour.
While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, it's important to note that dementia is not a natural part of aging and can have various causes.
Recognising the early signs of dementia is crucial for getting the support and care needed. Dementia Australia highlighted some common early symptoms to watch for:
You can watch the Alzheimer’s Society’s advert below:
Credit: Alzheimer’s Society / YouTube
On a related note, talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Her health journey has been a public one, with one incident when she fainted during a live taping of her show. You can read more about Williams’ story here.
What are your thoughts on Julie Goodyear’s diagnosis? Share your sentiments in the comments below.
Yet, the reality of dementia is that it can touch anyone, even the most dynamic individuals like actress Julie Goodyear.
Her husband, Scott Brand, has recently shared the heart-wrenching journey of watching his once fun-loving wife 'slowly fading away' after her dementia diagnosis.
This personal story aligned with the United Kingdom’s Alzheimer’s Society's new campaign, poignantly voiced by British actor Colin Firth and titled The Long Goodbye.
Julie Goodyear is ‘slowly fading away’ due to dementia. Credit: Julie Goodyear MBE / Facebook
The campaign shed light on the devastating progression of dementia, a condition that can feel like losing a loved one 'again, and again, and again’.
Brand's experience is a testament to this.
‘I miss the fun-loving wife that Julie had always been–the larger-than-life personality that brightened up everywhere she went and the smile that lit up every room,’ he said.
‘All of this is now slowly fading away, and it’s extremely painful for me to watch this deterioration.’
‘Julie now struggles recognising people, and everyone she meets is called “Scott”.’
‘Not being able to spontaneously go out as husband and wife, holding hands as we stroll along, going for meals together and going shopping–all these losses for me symbolise The Long Goodbye.’
The 81-year-old was famous for wearing leopard-print clothes and looking glamorous on and off the screen. But her husband mentioned that because of dementia, she doesn't care much about her appearance anymore.
‘Julie has always been extremely glamorous, going nowhere without her make-up,’ he said.
‘But now the lipsticks and make-up go unworn, and clothes are no longer of interest, especially the leopard print.’
Her husband first talked about her dementia diagnosis last summer.
‘My darling wife and I have had to come to terms with this heart-breaking diagnosis,’ he shared.
‘Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time, and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation—and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.’
‘We have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out,’ he added.
‘Inevitably, she is recognised, and fans love to meet her–and she, them–but she can get confused, particularly if she is tired. I hope people will understand.’
Dementia is not just a single disease but a syndrome encompassing a range of symptoms that lead to a decline in brain function. It can affect memory, speech, thinking, emotions, and behaviour.
While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, it's important to note that dementia is not a natural part of aging and can have various causes.
Recognising the early signs of dementia is crucial for getting the support and care needed. Dementia Australia highlighted some common early symptoms to watch for:
- Memory loss, such as forgetting recently learned information or important dates.
- Challenges in concentrating, planning, or solving problems, like difficulty following a familiar recipe or managing monthly bills.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure activities.
- Confusion with time or place, such as losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing, like struggling to follow or join a conversation.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps may lead to accusing others of stealing.
- Decreased or poor judgment, such as paying less attention to grooming or making unusual choices with money.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities that were once enjoyable.
- Changes in mood and personality, including becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
You can watch the Alzheimer’s Society’s advert below:
Credit: Alzheimer’s Society / YouTube
On a related note, talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Her health journey has been a public one, with one incident when she fainted during a live taping of her show. You can read more about Williams’ story here.
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