Jon Snow's wife Dr Precious Lunga has spoken for the first time about her husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis as she recalled the broadcaster's early warning signs.
Dr Lunga, who holds a PhD in neuroscience, said that Jon suffered with depression after retiring as a journalist in 2021, which can increase the risk of dementia.
She noticed that after this period Jon became 'forgetful' and she quickly picked up his changing behaviour and began to take notes of key moments.
The couple then went for tests to confirm Dr Lunga's fears, but they were initially dismissed as Jon passed the cognitive tests 'with flying colours'.
Seeking a second opinion, a scan combined with her notes about Jon's forgetful moments confirmed that he had the condition.
During an interview on Women's Hour with Anita Rani , Dr Lunga said that she felt Jon, 78, was 'written off' by people following his diagnosis.
When asked if this was the case, as often is with Alzheimer's, she said: 'Yes, we felt that. Not out of malice—more from a lack of understanding about what happens when you have Alzheimer's disease .
Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.
Jon Snow's wife Dr Precious Lunga has spoken for the first time about her husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis as she recalled the broadcaster's early warning signs
'People are fearful of it because we're all scared we might get it ourselves. It comes with a lot of stigma, and people often want to look away. We wanted people to start having a conversation about it.'
Talking more about the initial diagnosis, she said: ' After he retired, he went into a deep depression . He missed his colleagues and his work. That lasted for about six months. After that period, he began to develop symptoms. Depression can sometimes be a trigger for Alzheimer's.
'I noticed he was becoming more forgetful and, as a neuroscientist, I picked up on it quite quickly. We went for tests. I also spoke to colleagues who encouraged us to pursue further investigations.
'What has helped me cope is having a better understanding of the condition and seeking out reliable sources of information. When he was diagnosed, we were given a booklet explaining what to expect and how to prepare.
'He was diagnosed at a very early stage. Being diagnosed early means you can manage symptoms with medication, which can improve quality of life.
'We saw a specialist in 2023. He passed the cognitive tests with flying colours, but a different type of scan told a different story.
'I had a record of occasional behaviours that I had noticed over time and had written down. I had built up a catalogue of information. It's detective work: putting that together with the scan results and my observations. From all of that, we concluded that he did have Alzheimer's disease.'
After he was first diagnosed, Jon wanted to 'hide' his condition from the world but he later decided to speak out and raise awareness.
Dr Lunga, who is a neuroscientist, said that Jon suffered with depression after retiring as a journalist in 2021, which can increase the risk of dementia
Dr Lunga: He said, "If I don't speak out, who will?" It's something that affected his mother and so many other people. He felt that when someone is diagnosed, they're often written off. You don't suddenly fall off a cliff; it's a gradual deterioration. It doesn't mean you can't continue to contribute to the world.'
Dr Lunga – a Zimbabwean epidemiologist – went on to detail how and when they told their family about Jon's Alzheimer's, because they felt they could no longer manage alone.
She said: 'We waited several months, but it became clear that we needed help. I started talking about it. Once it's out in the open, you're also telling yourself that this is real.'
Dr Lunga said that the adjustment period after was difficult, as they reconciled with the fact that they were no longer going to live the life they imagined.
She said: 'Receiving that information is a huge shock. It brings an end to many of the plans you had imagined for your post-retirement life.
'It was awful to accept that our lives were changing. The disease is a process.
'I burst into tears when I told my family, but they have been incredibly supportive. That helped a great deal.'
After living with the diagnosis for a period of time behind closed doors, they later decided to share the news with the world.
She said:' Jon is a journalist, so he's used to being in the public eye. I was occasionally nervous because the documentary gives such an intimate insight into our daily lives.
'What helped me overcome that was the thought that I'm just one of more than a million people affected by Alzheimer's. By "affected", I mean both those living with the disease and those who care for or support them.
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