Woman thanks Alzheimer’s Society supporters for coming to aid of man with dementia

The wife of a man living with dementia has thanked a couple who came to his rescue after spotting him wandering lost and confused on a beach in North Wales.

Former nurse Jean Harris, of Tywyn, Gwynedd, says she dreads to think what might have happened if her husband Jim had not been befriended by Martin and Sue Stephenson.

Jim, 78, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2013, managed to get out of the house whilst Jean was doing housework, wearing slippers, pyjama bottoms and a coat.

Having alerted the local authority’s mental health team, Jean, 73, began a frantic hour-long search for her husband of 54 years, and was about to call the police when Martin and Sue got in touch.

The couple had found Jim wandering aimlessly on nearby Tywyn beach and noticed he was wearing a badge that said ‘I have dementia’ with two phone numbers on it.

Jean said: “I only turned my back for a moment to put the vacuum away and Jim managed to slip out. I’ve no idea how he managed to get all the way to the beach.

“I’m so grateful he ran into Martin and Sue, or goodness knows what could have happened to him. I can’t thank them enough.”

Martin and Sue are no strangers to dementia. Martin’s father has the condition and the couple are currently fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society.

Their story received national attention after they decided to offer their luxury £700K property in the heart of beautiful Snowdonia National Park in a prize draw, with tickets costing just £3.

The prize draw to win Capel Jerusalem and Jerusalem Vestry, closes on Valentine’s Day, February 14, with a donation going to Alzheimer’s Society. 

The properties come with seven en-suite rooms, all furniture and contents, including a sauna, hot tub and grand piano. It can also be used as a holiday let if desired.

Details about the prize draw and how to enter can be found at www.winadreamproperty.co.uk

Martin and Sue were praised on Facebook for their actions after Sue posted a message saying: “We thought the badge with the phone number on was such a good idea. It saved a lot of time and worry for his wife and meant we were able to get him home safely and out of the cold as quickly as possible. Sometimes it’s the little things that count.”

Later Sue added: “Jim was quite a long way from home. We’re pleased that we were in the right place at the right time and able to get him safely back to Jean”