IN THE next 10 years there will be 3,000 people living with dementia
in North East Lincolnshire - nearly five times more than the 617 there
are now.
Health experts believe it's down to an increase in longer life expectancies, with research showing that the over-65 population across the borough is expected to rise by 38 per cent between now and 2025.
Health experts believe it's down to an increase in longer life expectancies, with research showing that the over-65 population across the borough is expected to rise by 38 per cent between now and 2025.
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| TOO YOUNG: Steve Boryszczuk cares for his wife Michelle, now 43, at the Elms Care Home in Louth. Picture: Rick Byrne |
However, this incurable disease can attack at any age, as one family knows all too well.
Married mum-of-two Michelle Boryszczuk, was 39 when she was told the devastating news – one of only 600 people in the UK in their 30s to be diagnosed with dementia.
It was the same illness that took the life of her father Tony Rusling, of Market Rasen, at the age of 42 and his mother at the age of 50.
Now 43, she relies on others to dress and feed her at the Elms Care Home in Louth, and has her devoted husband by her side 12 hours every day.
Across the county of Lincolnshire, including Louth, there are already 4,288 people living with dementia, something which the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust predicts will rise by 78 per cent over the next 14 years.
The Trust claims Lincolnshire has one of the fastest growing elderly populations in UK which is the reason for such a steep increase.
Michelle's husband, Steve Boryszczuk, 47, formerly worked for Binbrook fish factory Credenza, but gave up his job to care for his wife.
"The hardest thing to live with is watching her die. I lost Michelle three years ago as a person, but this is dragging it out," he said.
Steve is now planning to walk the length of the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.
He is preparing for the trek in October, by walking and cycling around the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Steve said: "Michelle was a really good artist. She loved riding in the countryside and taking the dog for a walk. "That was until she began getting lost when out on her walks.
"I looked after Michelle at home for four years until it got too hard.
"I would have loved to have kept her at home and I would have loved for her to be at home now, but it just wouldn't be possible.
"I still find it difficult to come to terms with the fact I have put her in a home, but I know that was the only option possible."
Steve believes it is hard when an older person is getting ill but more so when it is someone so young.
He added: "Michelle knew it was going to happen to her when she was about 30 years old. She prepared herself for getting Alzheimer's.
"I speak to her everyday and sit with her, showing photos of great times with family and friends. But there is no concentration. She can still respond to seeing some people."
Steve is delighted with the care his wife receives at The Elms and cannot think of a better place for her to be.
He said: "It is the best place I could find for her and I have no worries when I go to China because I know she is in the best hands."
Michelle, a mother to two grown-up sons and a grandmother, needs full-time care.
It is a far cry from when she was a regular performer on the amateur dramatic stage at Wickenby, where she and Steve lived for 27 years.
Steve said: "If you get it diagnosed early enough its effects can be slowed down. There is not a cure. It is too late for Michelle but maybe others will benefit in the future."
Steve, who formerly played cricket in Cleethorpes and has family in Barton, will do the China trek with his brother Stanley.
The pair hope to raise in excess of £10,000 for research into the illness.
Steve said: "I am really looking forward to it, I will be trekking for up to eight hours a day for six days to complete the challenge.
"I am doing it because of Michelle, but it will also be a good experience for me.
"I won't be stopping my fundraising after this, I have never been that charitable but this is now close to my heart and I want to do as much as I can."
Sons Richard, 26, and Graham, 24, are supporting him.
Anyone wishing to donate towards Steve's challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/steve-boryszczuk
Married mum-of-two Michelle Boryszczuk, was 39 when she was told the devastating news – one of only 600 people in the UK in their 30s to be diagnosed with dementia.
It was the same illness that took the life of her father Tony Rusling, of Market Rasen, at the age of 42 and his mother at the age of 50.
Now 43, she relies on others to dress and feed her at the Elms Care Home in Louth, and has her devoted husband by her side 12 hours every day.
Across the county of Lincolnshire, including Louth, there are already 4,288 people living with dementia, something which the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust predicts will rise by 78 per cent over the next 14 years.
The Trust claims Lincolnshire has one of the fastest growing elderly populations in UK which is the reason for such a steep increase.
Michelle's husband, Steve Boryszczuk, 47, formerly worked for Binbrook fish factory Credenza, but gave up his job to care for his wife.
"The hardest thing to live with is watching her die. I lost Michelle three years ago as a person, but this is dragging it out," he said.
Steve is now planning to walk the length of the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.
He is preparing for the trek in October, by walking and cycling around the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Steve said: "Michelle was a really good artist. She loved riding in the countryside and taking the dog for a walk. "That was until she began getting lost when out on her walks.
"I looked after Michelle at home for four years until it got too hard.
"I would have loved to have kept her at home and I would have loved for her to be at home now, but it just wouldn't be possible.
"I still find it difficult to come to terms with the fact I have put her in a home, but I know that was the only option possible."
Steve believes it is hard when an older person is getting ill but more so when it is someone so young.
He added: "Michelle knew it was going to happen to her when she was about 30 years old. She prepared herself for getting Alzheimer's.
"I speak to her everyday and sit with her, showing photos of great times with family and friends. But there is no concentration. She can still respond to seeing some people."
Steve is delighted with the care his wife receives at The Elms and cannot think of a better place for her to be.
He said: "It is the best place I could find for her and I have no worries when I go to China because I know she is in the best hands."
Michelle, a mother to two grown-up sons and a grandmother, needs full-time care.
It is a far cry from when she was a regular performer on the amateur dramatic stage at Wickenby, where she and Steve lived for 27 years.
Steve said: "If you get it diagnosed early enough its effects can be slowed down. There is not a cure. It is too late for Michelle but maybe others will benefit in the future."
Steve, who formerly played cricket in Cleethorpes and has family in Barton, will do the China trek with his brother Stanley.
The pair hope to raise in excess of £10,000 for research into the illness.
Steve said: "I am really looking forward to it, I will be trekking for up to eight hours a day for six days to complete the challenge.
"I am doing it because of Michelle, but it will also be a good experience for me.
"I won't be stopping my fundraising after this, I have never been that charitable but this is now close to my heart and I want to do as much as I can."
Sons Richard, 26, and Graham, 24, are supporting him.
Anyone wishing to donate towards Steve's challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/steve-boryszczuk
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