THE 82-year-old wife of a seriously-ill care home resident is looking forward to seeing her husband in time for their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Changes to government advice mean Janet Owen will be allowed to see Robert, 81, for the first time in more than two months.

She told the Daily Echo she feels like she has been "watching him die before her eyes" on weekly Skype calls.

And she is thrilled to be allowed to visit him in Figbury Lodge in Canford Heath.

Janet, of Tower Road, Branksome Park, said she fears her husband is near to the near to the end of his life as he struggles with a degenerative brain disease.

Robert is a former environmentalist and pollution control expert who has been diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration(CBD).

CBD is a rare condition that causes gradually worsening problems with movement, speech, memory and swallowing.

Janet cared for her husband for many years but he was admitted to the Mitchell Road home in July.

She said: "I went with him because I thought I'd be allowed to go in with him. They took him in, then said I couldn't go in - I didn't even kiss him goodbye.

"We've been together all our lives and this is so cruel. I just want to be able to hold his hand because I'm afraid he is near to the end."

Janet was allowed two visits to the home's garden before visits stopped completely in September.

She added: "It is unbelievable really that I've been unable to see him for so long. I'm usually quite a positive person but I'm not any more.

"We don't have any children. My nearest relative is in Cornwall and he's as old as me so I don't expect him to be travelling backwards and forwards.

"They said I can go and see him for our anniversary."

Janet said she also hopes to be able to raise awareness of CBD to help others affected by the devastating condition.

She added: "It was years and years before it was diagnosed because it has similarities to things like dementia and Parkinson's.

"I just hope this will help someone else who may not know anything about this disease."

Those with the condition are supported by a charity called the PSP Association which runs a helpline. It can be contacted on 0300 0110 122.