Isle of Wight couple faces separation by sea over dementia care


Jenny Sexton is facing the possibility of being separated from her husband, David Sexton, who suffers from dementia, by the Solent, as he requires care that is not currently available on the Isle of Wight. The 86-year-old man was moved to a care home in Ryde on the island in January but his condition has since worsened, and it is believed that he needs a higher level of care that is not available locally. The Isle of Wight Council’s adult social care team has suggested that he should be moved to a nursing home on the South Coast, leaving Mrs Sexton distraught at the prospect of not being able to visit her husband regularly as she suffers from mobility issues.

Mrs Sexton has lived on the Isle of Wight for her entire life, as has her husband. Moving Mr Sexton to the mainland would mean that the couple could only visit each other twice a month due to the cost of travelling by ferry. She is concerned that without regular visits, his condition will decline gradually, and she cannot bear the thought of not being able to reassure him that she is there for him. The case highlights the shortage of suitable care facilities for dementia patients on the Isle of Wight. It is expected that by 2030, almost 4,000 people on the island will be living with the condition, alarming residents and raising concerns about their future care.

Isle of Wight Council has said that it will adhere to securing the best possible care to meet the individual needs of people affected by dementia. However, discussions about accessing care and support off the island may be required to achieve this, which can cause concerns for those who would be separated from their loved ones. The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has yet to respond to requests for comments.

For those affected by dementia, the BBC Action Line offers support and advice, and the Isle of Wight is not alone in facing the challenge of caring for the rising number of people with the condition. Dementia cases are predicted to increase by almost 50% on the island by 2030. Although care facilities need to be expanded to cope with demand, residents like the Sextons do not want to be separated from their families in the process

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