Ruthie Henshall breaks down as she details mothers final months

Tearful Ruthie Henshall talks leaving mum in Covid care home

The West End star told the Loose Women panel she’s pushing for a new law to ensure no elderly or vulnerable person will have to die alone in a care home again. Ruthie’s own mother died aged 88 in 2021 during a coronavirus lockdown when her family were not allowed to visit her care home. Ruthie, 56, got emotional on the ITV show as she reflected on only being able to wave at her mum through the care home’s windows.

“There was so much healing going on and she got such a kick out of life,” Ruthie told the panel. 

“To see her…” Ruthie struggled to say as she fought back tears to get the rest of the sentence out. 

The actress explained she could only see her mum by waving at her through the care home’s windows. 

Panellist Denise Welch rubbed Ruthie’s back as the Coronation Street star revealed her mother went from “walking and talking” to “not being able to walk and talk as she was just in a chair” within four months. 

“That was four months of being on her own,” Ruthie stressed. “Now this cannot go on.” 

Following Gloria’s death Ruthie joined the Rights for Residents group which is campaigning for a new law which will let anyone in a care home or hospital have the right to at least one care supporter. 

It can be a relative or friend who can give them in-person support and it’s called Gloria’s Law. 

In the end, Gloria didn’t die alone as she had Ruthie by her side, and the actress is doing everything in her power to get Gloria’s Law enforced. 

Ruthie told The Guardian earlier this week: “For someone with dementia, we are their eyes and their ears, their voice, their memories.

“People were screaming outside windows at carers because they would take residents away to bring someone else’s loved one to the window. 

“I’ve never seen so many people crying outside a building.” 

Ruthie said the care home Gloria was in set up a tent in the garden but there was a plastic sheet between residents and visitors. 

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Viewers took to Twitter following Ruthie’s tearful appearance on the ITV programme. 

Karen penned: “Denise Welch and @RuthieHenshall I’m so glad I saw Loose Women today and found out about Gloria’s Law. Well done to you both for highlighting the topic.” 

C.L added: “@RuthieHenshall thank you for fighting for this and bringing a voice to all of those people living in care homes, who may not be able to fight for their own rights.”

Rebecca commented: “Everything you have just said about your mum in a care home I felt like you were reliving my time as exactly the same happened to me and my mum.

“My mum had Alzheimer’s and they only made me an essential caregiver the day before she passed away 2021.” (sic) 

Elizabeth shared: “@RuthieHenshall, watching you on LW in tears. Your mother’s story rang so many bells and similarities with my mum’s…

“I’ll support your cause as much as I can. As a Health Care Worker, I can also tell a few stories.” 

Loose Women continues tomorrow at 12.30pm on ITV and ITVX. 

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