{"id":26940,"date":"2025-03-26T11:56:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T11:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/?p=26940"},"modified":"2025-03-27T07:40:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T07:40:18","slug":"new-ou-films-for-bbc-morning-live-explore-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/around-ou\/tv-radio\/new-ou-films-for-bbc-morning-live-explore-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"New OU films for BBC Morning Live explore Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two short films co-produced by The Open University<\/strong><\/a> and the BBC<\/strong> <\/a>will feature on BBC One\u2019s Morning Live<\/a> <\/strong>programme as part of their Memories and Dementia season.<\/p>\n

Young Onset Dementia<\/strong> is expected to air on Wednesday 26th<\/sup> March<\/strong>, between 9:30am<\/strong> and 10:45am <\/strong>followed by Dementia Training <\/strong>on 28th<\/sup> March. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In Young Onset Dementia<\/strong>, we hear from those affected by the disease.<\/p>\n

We see how parents are coping, and putting plans in place, for when they\u2019re no longer able to parent their children, and how heart-breaking it is for the children when their parent no longer recognises them.<\/p>\n

Dr Katie Davis, Lecturer in Health and Social Care<\/strong><\/a> at The Open University in Scotland,<\/strong> was one of the academic consultants for the film. She said:<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The second film, Dementia Training,<\/strong> looks at the support available following a loved one’s diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Hywel Thomas, Lecturer in Health and Mental Health<\/strong><\/a> at The Open University,<\/strong> is the academic consultant for the film. He said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the film, we meet Rachel May, who wanted to understand more about the condition after her mother was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. <\/em><\/p>\n

Often, families receive little, or no support following a loved one\u2019s diagnosis and require more understanding about what dementia is, financial and legal advice and planning for the future. <\/em><\/p>\n

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 \u2018what is happening to the brain\u2019 and offering a positive viewpoint \u2018what the person can do\u2019 rather than what they can\u2019t.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He added:<\/p>\n

\u201cEssentially, the aim of dementia training may include topics on: –<\/em><\/p>\n