Louis Theroux - Extreme love - Dementia

[rosemary]

Anyone watch this last night? Such a powerful programme.

watch again here ( 7 days left )
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g2kjm

[michael parker]

Started to but got called away,will catch it later,but what i saw was,as you said,powerful.Think i will need to make a copy and catch it in the early hours when parents are asleep.It really reached my emotions.

[susieq]

Yes, I watched it - the Mother/Daughter situation rang so many bells with me.

I did consider NOT watching it, but in the end my curiosity as to how dementia is handled and how care homes are run in the USA got the better of me If all care homes could be modelled on the one shown I don't think many carers would have a problem with making the tough decision to resign from their caring role and would be happy for their caree to reside and be cared for in such an environment.

At one point a cost of US$4000 per month was mentioned - this equates to about £2500 with today's exchange rates; about the same monthly cost as a residential home here - but the US home was purpose built with large, light and airy individual rooms unlike here where most residential homes are large houses that have been extended/converted and where, too often, the rooms are small and badly furnished.

It was also obvious that the staff in the US version had been trained in dementia care and that there were plenty of activities on offer for the residents. Unlike the majority of homes here where few staff have had proper dementia care training and where activites only consist of watching TV or playing children's board games.

We could learn a great deal from the American version

[Melly1]

I watched it as although I don't have personal experience of dementia, I am keen to learn more. The only thing I didn't like was that the building was on four floors and the higher dependency patients who were on higher floors didn't have direct access (obviously) to an outside area. It woud have been even better if as well as freedom to move around their whole floor they could also have had access to wander i a safe outside area too.

Melly1

[Debra Found]

I felt this was a very moving program. I don't know a great deal about dementia so found it very helpful in trying to understand the dangers - such as the younger woman who struggled with the phone & Nancy who couldn't remember her name. It was obvious they couldn't be alone in case of an emergency & it really brought this home to me.

It also made me think how lucky we are to have the NHS & social welfare. I know it has faults too numerous to mention but at least it is there. Poor John at 86 caring for Nancy saying that he had no choice as he couldn't afford care home fees for her. He didn't have a choice - though it was obvious he loved her to bits.

The home was wonderful - purpose built & light & airy. But I do agree with the point made that an outside place would be very desirable.

[Scally]

Outdoor level-floor access and open doors is in my view an absolute requirement, otherwise people are simply trapped in a form of elaborate prison. The secret is partly to design pathways such that they lead back to safety, and partly to ensure sufficient staffing/volunteer support to ensure lots of opportunities for trips out. I am so glad my father in law had the chance to see the Edinburgh Tattoo again a few days before his very dignified death. And now my own dad (92) is starting to struggle with the names of his grandchildren - it is very painful ...........

[Myrtle]

Audrey, I am so glad you found such a lovely place for your loved one

[Lazydaisy]

So pleased to see about the "pets",Audrey.
My husband used to take his guide dog,(also a PAT dog) to a couple of Homes.People responded so well to the dog,and my husband loved going and talking to people.The owners of the Home where my Dad lived, had a labrador,and anyone who wanted was able to talk to him and make a fuss.(plus it was one of the places my husband visited).