Losing Dennis

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Dennis, who suffers from stroke related vascular dementia, sits in the living room of his family home after spending over 2 months in hospital following his initial stroke and subsequent Vascular dementia diagnosis.

Once Dennis has been put in his armchair he cannot move until care workers return to hoist him back into his bed. The hours spent in the same place are wearing and the monotony impacts on Dennis' lucidity and mood.

Dennis' wife Ruby is now his main carer. Ruby has severely reduced mobility and had spent many years being cared for by Dennis. This role reversal is at times very difficult for her to cope with.

An ornamental picture frame to commemorate Dennis and Ruby's 50th wedding anniversary (in 1997) sits in the living room among Dennis' many snooker trophies. Dennis was a regular, well loved and respected member of his local snooker club.

Dennis is hoisted into his living room armchair using a medical crane. As a result of his initial stroke Dennis is completely paralysed on the right hand side of his body. As with many stroke victims, it takes months of physiotherapy to regain movement and function, if any.

Carers make sure that Dennis is comfortable in his armchair. they will return later in the day to hoist him back into his hospital bed which has been set up in what was up until recently his dining room.

Pictures of Dennis' family hang on the walls of his living room. Dennis is the patriarch of a large family of 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Ruby plays a computer game. Before his illness, Ruby and Dennis would usually spend their afternoons and evenings watching television and doing crosswords and puzzles together. Now that Dennis finds it difficult to remain lucid and focused Ruby finds other things to occupy the days.

A commemorative 50th anniversary cushion, showing Dennis and Ruby on their wedding day, sits with ornaments in a spare room.

Some of Dennis' get well soon cards from his lengthy stay in hospital are left on a side table in the downstairs hallway.

After spending a number of months being cared for at home, it has become too difficult for Ruby to cope with the responsibility of being his main carer. The difficult decision has been made to transfer him to a residential care facility nearby. Dennis is visited by his daughter, Jane, on his last day in his family home in which he has lived with Ruby for almost 30 years. He will never return here.

Paramedics arrive to transport Dennis, via ambulance to a nearby residential care facility.

Dennis' wheelchair sits by the French doors in the converted dining area of his home.

Ruby sits in the living room of their family home in the days after Dennis is admitted into residential care.

Dennis' daughter, Susan, visits him during his first days in his residential care facility.

Ruby wheels Dennis to the dining area for lunch.

Dennis waits for his lunch. As a result of the stroke Dennis can no longer chew his food properly so his meals have to be blended into a paste.

Dennis' daughter, Susan, shows signs of the stress inherent in dealing with a loved one suffering a debilitating illness.

Dennis kisses Ruby during one of her daily visits to his care home. Throughout his deteriorating mental condition Dennis has never forgotten who Ruby is and is still as fiercely protective of her as ever.

Dennis looks out of his bedroom window. From his window he can see the tops of trees in a nearby park. His family say that when the summer comes they will take him out side to sit under the trees.