The wife of veteran country singer Glen Campbell has defended her decision to admit him to a residential care facility.

The Rhinestone Cowboy hitmaker's wife of more than 30 years, Kim Woolen, admitted her husband to a special centre in Nashville, Tennessee in April (14) because she was struggling to look after the music legend, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Campbell's eldest daughter Debby criticised the move in a recent interview with Country Weekly magazine, expressing her desire to have her father home and claiming he wants to leave the facility.

Woolen has now spoken out to defend her decision, telling the Associated Press that doctors persuaded her to let experts care for her husband.

She says, "It is crushingly sad to see him afflicted with Alzheimer's but indulging those feelings does not help him. I am his wife and no one wants him home more than me but I must do what is in his best interest.

"He has long-time friends here in Nashville who come to play music for him and give him hugs. He has activities and therapies to stimulate him and help him experience daily moments of success. His life is filled with love and laughter and he is being cared for round the clock by people who specialise in Alzheimer's care and happen to adore him."

The 78-year-old singer has been suffering from the degenerative neurological condition since 2011.