This is the heartbreaking moment a man broke down in tears while escorting his wife to hospital, fearing she wouldn’t come back alive.
In the latest episode of Channel 4’s 999: On The Front Line, paramedics responded to an emergency call from district nurse Emma in Willenhall, West Midlands, who reported that an elderly woman was ‘less responsive than normal’.
When first responders Matt and Charlie arrived at the home of Ken and his frail wife, Joan, 70, they found her slumped over and completely unable to communicate them.
Nurse Emma revealed her suspicion that dementia patient Joan had caught sepsis, also know as the silent killer and paramedics quickly decided to take her to hospital.
Ken, Joan’s full time carer and husband of 44 years, broke down in tears, admitting he had already ‘visualised the end’.
Channel 4 ‘s 999: On The Front Line captures the heartbreaking moment Ken (pictured) broke down in tears while escorting his wife to the hospitalKen’s wife Joan (pictured), 70, suffers from dementia. Her prognosis looked so dire Ken admitted that he had already ‘visualised the end’First responder Charlie (right) flanks the pair and monitors Joan during her ambulance ride to the hospital
On the way to hospital with Matt and Charlie, he told them: ‘It’s emotionally tiring.
‘We had a nurse come from the dementia place and I’ve said to her that’s how I visualise the end. Joan being put to hospital.’
When Charlie suggested that Joan’s affliction could be little more than a water infection, Ken tearfully responded: ‘But [she] has got no quality of life at all’.
Charlie then acknowledged how ‘heartbreaking’ it was that ‘nothing could really make her better’.
When Matt and Charlie first arrived at the couple’s home they were greeted by Emma who shared that Joan was ‘lethargic’, ‘agitated’ and ‘less responsive than normal’.
She also shared her fear that Joan could possibly have sepsis – a ‘silent killer’ caused by the body’s overreaction to an infection.
As they all entered the property, an ailing Joan could be seen slumped over on a green couch with her head hanging.
Ken then recounted what the last few days had been like, saying: ‘Well she was sick last week on and off and then yesterday she was sick – I mean really sick.
A stoic silence between the crew was further telling of the sad momentKen, Joan’s full time carer and husband of 44 years, is unable to hold it together and breaks down in tearsParamedics Matt (left) and Charlie arrived at the couple’s home after receiving an emergency call about Joan’s welfare
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
‘It’s been bad since yesterday… It took her about 45 minutes to eat about two thirds of a slice of bread’.
Viewers were then informed that Joan was first diagnosed with dementia six years earlier, and that Ken stepped in to become her full time carer.
‘I just want what’s best for Joan,’ he said. ‘I do this myself every day. Morning noon and night’
As they all entered the property, an ailing Joan could be seen slumped over on a green couch while her head hung lowDistrict nurse Emma (pictured) shared that Joan was ‘lethargic’, ‘agitated’ and ‘less responsive than normal’Charlie acknowledged how ‘heartbreaking’ it was that ‘nothing could really make her [Joan] better’
What are the signs of sepsis in patients and what can you do?
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, which happens when someone’s immune system starts to damage their own tissues and organs.
In adults, sepsis may feel like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection at first. Early symptoms include fever, chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and quick breathing.
Symptoms of sepsis or septic shock include feeling dizzy or faint, confusion or disorientation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and cold, clammy and pale or mottled skin.
Any child who is breathing very fast, has a fit or looks mottled, bluish, or pale, or has a rash that does not fade when you press it, may have sepsis.
And a baby or child under five years old who is not feeding, vomiting repeatedly or has not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours, may have sepsis.
The UK Sepsis Trust says the condition affects 245,000 people and leads to 48,000 deaths in the UK each year. It cannot be caught from someone else.
During the 2.5 mile journey to the hospital, things became increasingly emotional as Ken predicted that his wife’s death was around the corner.
After the group arrived at the hospital, test confirmed that Joan had sepsis.
She didn’t recover and it was an emotional end to the episode for viewers who were informed that Joan passed away with her husband by her side after three weeks in hospital.
Season 10, episode two of 999: On the Front Line is currently available to stream on Channel 4.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
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