WINNIPEG — The family of a 69-year-old Alzheimer's patient who has been in jail for more than a month says he belongs in a care home, not behind lock and key.

Joe McLeod was arrested Sept. 2 in relation to an assault on his longtime wife Rose at the couple's Transcona home.

McLeod, a former CN Rail worker, has severe Alzheimer's disease. Rose said she does not intend to pursue charges because she believes it was the disease that led to the attack, which saw her hit in the chest with a picture frame she was clutching in an effort to explain to her enraged husband who she was.

"He doesn't remember any of the family now. He doesn't know my mom, he doesn't know my sister. His mind is about 25 years away. It's tough," said Ronald McLeod, the couple's son.

Ronald McLeod said his father is being held on a medical ward at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, but suggested that isn't the right place for him.

"You can visit him, but it's behind glass. It's not what you'd expect from a hospital," the younger McLeod said. "I know he's being cared for but it would be nice for him to be in a facility where we can go visit him."

Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard, who has taken up the family's cause, called the situation "appalling."

"The system should be operating so that there are places for people like Joe McLeod," Gerrard said. "He should never have ended up in jail in the first place, (but now) as fast as humanly possible he should be placed in an appropriate care home."

Ronald McLeod said the family has been told there are waiting lists, doctor's reports and other steps to go through before that can happen.

Gerrard said the government should step in and speed up the process.

"It's the government's responsibility to organize the health and justice systems so this doesn't happen," he said.

QMI Agency is awaiting comment from a government representative.