A CUDWORTH woman has issued a desperate plea for help from her local community in order to continue caring for her severely ill husband.
Rose Smith, 71, is currently her husband Charles’ full-time carer after his health ailments left him unable to function independently.
Charles’ health has been debilitating for over two years, with him suffering from multiple conditions - and having to take a dozen medications every day.
Charles’ heart failure, lung scarring, rheumatoid arthritis and angina have left him mostly immobile - and forced him to wear an oxygen cannula for 24 hours a day.
Rose admitted that such overwhelming caring responsibilities have left her exhausted and at her wit’s end.
The couple have been married for over 50 years, but have no children and no family who are able to help out - so they are calling on the assistance of any caring locals who may be able to support them.
Charles is unable to drive in his condition and Rose doesn’t have a driving licence - which transforms usually simple tasks into mammoth chores for them.
Unfortunately, the couple aren’t well connected to local bus routes, leaving them feeling further helpless and isolated.
As she has become older, Rose expressed the increasing difficulty of walking to collect Charles’ prescription and going shopping.
As winter has swung into full force with treacherous snow and ice, Rose now lives in fear that just one slip in the unforgiving weather could leave her incapacitated and unable to care for her husband.
Despite Rose and Charles’ heartbreaking cries for help, she explained that nobody from the medical world seems to have listened to their pleas.
She said: “We’ve phoned the social services about the prescriptions and they’ve said it’s nothing to do with them.
“Our neighbours have been good, but they work full-time.
“He’s had a fall recently and it left him with a huge cut and bruise all down his back.
“I don’t like to leave him alone and only go out when I have to.
“I’m 71 and he’s 72, it turns out when you should be relaxing, you’re just not well enough.
“The fact I’ve had so much to do that I am sinking fast doesn’t seem to matter.
“We don’t want to have to ask - but somebody out there, please help if you can.
“I’m so tired that I can hardly function.”
Rose and Charles have requested that if anyone’s able to help, call 01226 711050.
