Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
17 February 2017 08:19
David Baddiel says there needs to be a wider discussion about dementia
Comedian David Baddiel is trying to highlight the "epidemic" of dementia as a killer of older people in a new documentary.
The Trouble With Dad focuses on the 52-year-old star's father Colin - a dementia sufferer - and is aimed at raising awareness about the disease.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the star said: "There is no situation where it is straightforwardly OK to put someone on camera who is not totally informed about it due to dementia, as is the case here.
"But the alternative is that nobody ever talks about this, and we must. It's an epidemic - the largest killer of older people, bigger than cancer. We must bring that into the light."
The Channel 4 documentary looks at the reality of living with the disease and the impact it has on close family members - focusing on the relationship between dad Colin, Baddiel and his brother Ivor.
Anyone planning a trip abroad can take out medical travel insurance to provide added cover for Alzheimer's and other conditions linked to dementia.
24-hour care
Housebound Colin is 82-years-old and suffers from Pick's disease - a rare form of the condition. As a result, he receives 24-hour care.
Pick's is only common in around 5% of dementia sufferers and can see them become sexually disinhibited and prone to swearing and rude behaviour.
Father of two Baddiel told the magazine: "He doesn't understand who the kids are any more. He was never a cuddly grandpa. He doesn't always know Ivor and me.
"He understands he has sons, and can recognise pictures of us from our teens, but he seems to think we should still look like that."
The comedian says weekly visits with his father leave him feeling "exhausted".
"He's hard work. Sometimes he's not too mad, but others he's very thankless. He can be extremely exasperating," the star added.
Baddiel says he is anticipating criticism and says filming the programme was difficult, but he feels it's important that there is a "wider dialogue" about the disease.
The film is set to air on Channel 4 on February 20.
18 August 2017
Relatives of older people receiving NHS care have raised concerns over some of the treatment.
[more...]
17 August 2017
Older people are being "let down" when it comes to access to dental care, experts have warned.
16 August 2017
A charity has called for women who have been treated for breast cancer to be given better support once treatment ends.
15 August 2017
More people are being arrested over drunken behaviour on board flights and at airports, according to latest statistics.
12 August 2017
Labour has criticised the way in which cancer patients and their families have been treated under the Conservative Government.
11 August 2017
The precious metal, gold, is a familiar sight in jewellery adorning the body but it could also play a role in treating cancers that grow inside the body.
10 August 2017
Nashville is the capital of country and has for years attracted music-loving holidaymakers to its vibrant bars and venues.
09 August 2017
We've all seen self-driving cars in the news in recent years but would you step on board a passenger plane that didn't have a pilot?
08 August 2017
Marine experts have disagreed over the identity of the creatures that attacked the feet of a teenager who was relaxing in the sea in Australia.
05 August 2017
Medical bills which run into six-figure territory are "not uncommon" for British holidaymakers who end up needing emergency medical treatment abroad, travel insurers say.
04 August 2017
British Airways mixed fleet cabin crew will strike for a further two weeks this month, including the August bank holiday, in a long-running pay dispute.
03 August 2017
New analysis suggests that almost all men over 60 and women over 75 are eligible for the cholesterol-lowing drugs, statins.