A POLICEwoman plans not to visit her Alzheimer’s suffering mother at Christmas for the first time since she was taken into a care home.

Last Christmas marked an unwelcome milestone for Elizabeth Mitchell, from Consett, County Durham, as it was the first without her mother at home since she went into care.

The 47-year-old Durham Police constable said her mother, Elizabeth Kay, has reached the stage of dementia where she does not know who other family members are, or, even if they are present in her company.

She said: “That’s why I have made the extremely difficult decision not to visit on Christmas Day this year and to focus my attention on my daughter, Madison.”

PC Mitchell, who is based at force headquarters, in Durham, said she came to the decision as she felt ten-year-old Madison “missed out” on Christmas last year.

“It was our first Christmas without mum after she was admitted to a nursing home in Hetton-le-Hole.

“It was extremely difficult for my dad who has never been without her at Christmas time.”

She said her father stayed with them and only visited his wife on Christmas Day.

“What I hadn’t realised at the time was that while we were out, and my husband was busy as head chef, Madison felt as though she had been left alone, but, she didn’t mention it at the time.

“She is very sensitive to the feelings of others and has a very close bond with her grandparents.

“So, she helped her granddad look after her grandma with jobs, like taking her to the toilet and helping her to change.

“She spent a lot of time with them and her grandma’s condition affected her so much that she had to have counselling.

“That’s why this year I want Madison to be my focus and I know mum would want that too, so I will visit her on Boxing Day instead.”

Seven-years-ago the family realised all was not well, but, it was only two years later that Alzheimer’s disease was identified as the underlying cause of a series of seizures and memory lapses.

PC Mitchell said despite having been previously good with money, having worked as a wages clerk, her mother found herself in considerable debt.

She said her father, Bill, found it difficult to accept the diagnosis and later sought support at an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Cafe.

Research by Alzheimer’s Society reveals more than half of people affected by dementia find Christmas the most isolating time of the year, with many stating they are dreading the festivities.

  • The society says the festive season does not have to be the loneliest time of the year for people affected by dementia. Text DONATE to 70660 and donate £3 to help fund vital services.