I watched it this on Thursday night and on a whole it was an enlightening programme and look forward to the next episode..
I was touched by the plight of the young couple where the ex-drummer husband has dementia and was wondering if his former profession had anything to do with it.
But most of all it was nice to see those who took part appear to get something out of it. It would be interesting to find out if the choir members and their families/carers regularly get to meet others with dementia as I felt this linking with others in the same position as themselves was half of that enjoyment - like I get from reading/contributing to TP.
Now, that said, I was slightly disappointed by one point that's sort-of mentioned in these posts:
I found the programme very moving and upsetting . My mother is end stage .This is a stage that not many people see on TV , in fact I have never seen it , maybe because it is to harrowing ? Mum has had vascular dementia for over 5 years maybe longer when we look back at things ? She is bed bound now and doesn't know us,
I'm glad its being talked about more
Lots of dementia in the news.
The dementia choir was a very moving programme with everyone in host/hostess mode. Only we would know the effort that had gone into getting the PWD up and ready to face the day.
The upsetting part for me was when the choir sang on stage for the first time. The PWDs looked carefree and happy then it panned round to carers/supporters who looked - well - how I feel most of the time, weepy and exhausted.
Vicky MClure was a wonderful presenter and brought out the best in everyone. However, I do have reservations about this type of publicity for dementia because it does not tell the whole story. I will now have people telling me all I need to do is take OH to a choir. Quite a few years ago after another programme, people said I needed to put a curtain over the front door (leaving the house never been a problem here).
The boating programme with Pru and Tim also paints a rose coloured image. Afraid I sit there looking for the places where they have cut the film and had her do a voice over to make everything appear serene. Not that she needs a script - wonderful memory for Shakespeare etc.
Barbara Windor's husband and the Eastenders team did well in the marathon but he had to explain that she would not have been able to cope with being at the finish line. He does so well acknowledging her illness but not going into too much detail. He keeps the image alive - as we all try to do.
Have rambled on a bit there - apologies - but I am looking forward to the next programme.
I think I heard the presenter Vicky had asked for people of all stages of dementia to join the choir and what I mostly saw was people who seem to be at the earliest stages where forgetfulness and bad moods seem to be the only or main traits of the illness - like my dad about 4-5 years ago. I couldn't help feel that viewers without personal experience may think that's all dementia is about. I had hoped to see choir members attempting to wander off, sudden mood changes or hear tales of toilet or mobility issues. But I may be asking too much from just one episode..
And as rhubardtree predicted, I already have had two people telling me about getting my dad into music/a choir and one of them was from abroad!!