NRL and Canterbury legend Steve Mortimer admitted to care home following dementia diagnosis

NRL and Canterbury legend Steve Mortimer has been admitted to a care home following his diagnosis with dementia.

For the past three months, Mortimer has had physical setbacks including a heart attack in November, pneumonia in December and then even bronchitis most recently.

“Every medical episode has accelerated his dementia,” his brother Peter said, speaking on behalf of the extended Mortimer family to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He is struggling in his mind, but he’s not locked up,” Peter continued.

“He’s not a prisoner. He’s in a nursing home for a week of observation. It’s high-level care.

His brother Peter still remains defiant about his brother Steve.

“He’s still got the fight in him. You can still see the glare in his eyes. Hopefully, after this period of observation, we can give him the opportunity to re-live all that he enjoys.

“His teammates, such as ‘Blocker’ (Steve Roach) and ‘Sterlo’ (Peter Sterling), want to visit him.

“There’s no shortage of people wanting to help,” Peter continued. “Canterbury have been great.”

Turvey has recently had a heart stent inserted and, following his pneumonia scare, Peter said: “We’ve got to make sure he’s physically OK to stave off any further mental decline.

“Collectively, we want him to have a meaningful life.”