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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sarah Ward & Kirsty Feerick & Lynn Love

Scots family search for Good Samaritans who helped dementia-stricken OAP after he left home

A Scots family are desperately searching for the Good Samaritans who helped a dementia-stricken pensioner when he wandered from his home in the early hours.

Brian Gough, 88, was found outside in the street in his pyjamas with no shoes on after going missing in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire just before 6am.

Brian suffers from vascular dementia and his health has deteriorated rapidly over the last year.

Grandad-of-six Brian told his family he "took a wrong turn on the way to the bathroom" after getting out of bed on September 1, and got very lost.

A couple found him and contacted police, and managed to identify Brian and find his address, which he had forgotten after becoming confused.

He was returned to his wife Janice, 77.

His daughter, Caroline Stevenson, 53, said: "Anything could have happened to my dad.

"It really has given us all a terrible fright.

"He has never managed to wander away like this before.

"We don't know how long he was away but he was frozen when he came back.

"We are all worried sick about him but he is none the wiser after his little adventure.

"He just said he 'took a wrong turn on the way to the bathroom'.

Brian told his family he took a wrong turn on the way to the bathroom after getting out of bed on September 1, and got very lost (SWNS)

"My dad needs a zimmer but didn't have that with him and he has really bad balance, it is so incredibly lucky he didn't fall.

"The police aren't allowed to tell us anything about the couple who found him because of data protection but I would love to thank them.

"I am so grateful someone stopped and helped him."

Brian became confused and disorientated three years ago and was diagnosed with vascular dementia.

His family have now watched as his condition has deteriorated but are thankful he remains lucid and able to talk to them.

Mum-of-two Caroline, who works as an optometrist, said: "Dementia is a horrendous illness, it is the worst disease.

"It started with him getting a bit mixed up. At first we thought it was just his age.

"It got worse which has been so hard for our family to see.

"He is still lucid though, he just has a very bad memory.

"Up until three years ago you would never have believed his age until he got dementia.

"Lately it has taken a really sharp dip and he can be very confused now."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police received a report of concern for a person on Fenwick Road in Giffnock around 5.55am on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

"The man was traced safe and well a short time later and was taken home."

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