Ruth Langsford, the popular *Loose Women* presenter, has revealed that she is deeply concerned about her future health, particularly when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease.
The 62-year-old TV star has been open about her worries, as both of her parents were affected by the debilitating condition.
Her father, Dennis, passed away in 2012 at the age of 84, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the 1990s.
Ruth’s mother, Joan, later developed dementia and now resides in a care home.
In a candid interview with *Woman and Home* magazine, Ruth shared how the fear of developing Alzheimer’s has shaped her outlook on life.
She admitted that despite understanding the risk, she has intentionally avoided testing that could confirm her chances of developing the disease.
Ruth explained that while tests exist to assess the likelihood of Alzheimer’s, she chooses not to undergo them because, as she put it, “there’s no medication to treat it.”
“There’s a test you can do to know if you are more likely to get it, but because there’s no medication to treat it, I’d rather not know,” Ruth told *Woman and Home*. “When I have senior moments, as people call them, I panic.”
The star’s reluctance to test for Alzheimer’s is driven by the profound emotional impact of the disease, which has affected both of her parents. Her father’s battle with the disease in his final years was a particularly tough time for Ruth and her family. He had been cared for at home by her mother before passing away. Ruth’s emotional connection to her parents’ experiences with Alzheimer’s is part of the reason she chooses not to confront the potential reality of facing the same fate.
“I’m a bit head in the sand about Alzheimer’s,” Ruth admitted. “Both my parents have had it, I know what it entails and it horrifies me.” It’s clear from her statements that Ruth’s fear of Alzheimer’s goes beyond just a concern for her health; it’s also about the emotional toll that witnessing her parents suffer from the disease took on her.
However, despite her fears, Ruth has remained determined to live her life to the fullest. She believes in finding a balance between caring for her health and enjoying life. Ruth has a clear stance on not letting fear of the future overshadow her present, saying, “Live your life, have a glass of wine, see your friends, have some fun because none of us know [what the future holds].”
She also expressed her desire for a balanced lifestyle, admitting that while she aims to eat well, she doesn’t want to be overly cautious or restrictive. Ruth emphasized that she doesn’t want to be the type of person who focuses obsessively on every little health detail, pointing out how frustrating it can be to be around people who are overly worried about food ingredients. “I can’t bear being out for dinner with people who go, ‘Is there butter in that?’ I think, ‘Just eat a chip or go home!’” she laughed.
In a previous interview on the *How To Be 60* podcast, Ruth also addressed her anxieties surrounding Alzheimer’s and the idea of taking tests to determine if she might develop the disease. She explained that the lack of a cure or clear steps to prevent Alzheimer’s made her reluctant to pursue testing. “If I could do that test and they said: ‘right, now you know, this is what you do to stop you getting it. You have to take this tablet, you have to do these exercises, you have to eat this or don’t eat that,’” Ruth said. “But there’s nobody who can tell you that, so I almost don’t want to know.”
Ruth also revealed that the occasional “senior moments,” like forgetting where she placed her glasses or keys, cause her to panic and worry about the possibility of showing early signs of dementia. “Of course, every time I go: ‘where are my glasses?’ and they’re on my head, or: ‘where are my keys?’ and I have those blank moments where you suddenly forget someone’s name – somebody you know really well,” she shared. “You think: ‘oh my God,’ so of course I worry, with both parents.”
Despite these concerns, Ruth tries not to dwell on the potential for dementia, acknowledging that it is an “incredibly depressing” topic to think about. Instead, she focuses on enjoying her life and not letting the fear of what might happen in the future interfere with her present happiness.
Ruth Langsford’s openness about her fears and her approach to managing her health has resonated with many, highlighting both the emotional challenges of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and the importance of finding a balance in life. As Ruth continues to navigate her personal health journey, her honesty provides comfort to others who may share similar concerns about their future well-being.
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