Happy Place Ruth Langsford: “We all go through sh*t!” My life with divorce and dementia
Mar 23, 2026
Ruth Langsford, broadcaster and dementia awareness advocate, shares candid stories from her life. She talks about building resilience after divorce, the role of therapy and friendships, and balancing work with mum guilt. Ruth also discusses caring for parents with dementia and the practical, emotional steps that helped her through those challenges.
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Teach Boys Practical Independence
- Do raise sons to be practical and self-sufficient so they don't expect women to do domestic labour; Ruth insisted her son change sheets and cook.
- She was deliberately strict to avoid raising a man who expects a partner to clean up after him.
A Quick Goodbye Routine For Dementia Visits
- When Ruth's mother began protesting Ruth leaving, Ruth set up a quick routine: ask staff to call for supper and leave promptly without lingering.
- She compares it to dropping children at nursery and finds not looking back avoids distress for both of them.
Stop Forcing Memories On People With Dementia
- Ruth realised correcting her father's memory was more about her anxiety than helping him, so she changed approach with her mother to go with the flow.
- Letting go of 'remember' calmed both her and the person with dementia.
