New OU films for BBC Morning Live explore Dementia

Posted on 26 March 2025 • TV and radio

Two short films co-produced by The Open University and the BBC will feature on BBC One’s Morning Live programme as part of their Memories and Dementia season.

Young Onset Dementia is expected to air on Wednesday 26^th March, between 9:30am and 10:45am followed by Dementia Training on 28^th March.

In Young Onset Dementia, we hear from those affected by the disease.

We see how parents are coping, and putting plans in place, for when they’re no longer able to parent their children, and how heart-breaking it is for the children when their parent no longer recognises them.

Dr Katie Davis, Lecturer in Health and Social Care at The Open University in Scotland, was one of the academic consultants for the film. She said:

“With over 70,000 people under the age of 65 living with dementia in the UK, it is so important to talk about young onset dementia. Many of these people will be working and have caring responsibilities, so getting a diagnosis and support early on is vital in ensuring the correct and appropriate support is in place. It is possible to live well with dementia and putting the person at heart of all decisions is crucial to this. A person living with dementia can still do the things that bring them joy and have meaning in life, particularly in the early stages. The support to do these things will grow as the condition progresses but there is still a life to be lived.”

The second film, Dementia Training, looks at the support available following a loved one’s diagnosis.

Hywel Thomas, Lecturer in Health and Mental Health at The Open University, is the academic consultant for the film. He said:

“In the film, we meet Rachel May, who wanted to understand more about the condition after her mother was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.

Often, families receive little, or no support following a loved one’s diagnosis and require more understanding about what dementia is, financial and legal advice and planning for the future.

Dementia training in the UK is offered to friends, family, volunteers, staff and organisations to help them navigate the future with more confidence. These sessions are often offered free and facilitated and run by expert trainers with experience managing the person with dementia, knowledge about the condition ‘what is happening to the brain’ and offering a positive viewpoint ‘what the person can do’ rather than what they can’t.”

He added:

“Essentially, the aim of dementia training may include topics on: –

• After diagnosis what next? Knowledge and understanding about dementia
• Practical hints and tips to support managing the symptoms
• Information on local support organisation in your local area
• Opportunities to share experiences and skills with other carers

There are a number of organisations in the UK that offer online programmes for people affected by dementia, these include: Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Adventure”

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can find an easy to use guide to uncovering the benefits of Reminiscence Therapy for dementia, plus ways to find support if you or a loved one is facing memory-loss-related challenges. (NB: this site may not be live or complete prior to broadcast)

This film was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies with particular relevance to R26 Health and Social Care, Q96 Healthcare and Health Sciences and R39 Nursing.

 

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

• Academic Consultants: Dr Katie Davis and Dr Jitka Vseteckova (Young Onset Dementia) and Hywel Thomas (Dementia Training)

• Media Fellow: Professor Erica Borgstrom

• Broadcast Project Manager: Clair Robinson

• Supporting Online Content: Patrick Kearney, Xinmiao Zhang and Steff Easom