Louis Theroux - Extreme Love.
Author
Discussion

Matt80M

Original Poster:

1,140 posts

203 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
This week, a very thought provoking and touching documentary about those suffering from dementia and the remarkable people who love and look after them.

An absolutely heart-breaking condition that I know very little about.

Last week was about the parents who look after children with autism. My wife's cousin is a brave young man who works immensely hard to deal with his disability every day, so I could really identify with that.

Good work Louis.

Dunclane

1,465 posts

200 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
Strange combination of emotions, sometimes sadness but other times happiness. When sufferers DO recognise their loved ones you know it's true like a child, if you know what I mean?

anonymous-user

85 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
Watched it up until "the 4th floor" - that was the equivalent of how my grandmother was at the end. The nurses said she was happy in her own mind, but the fact she couldn't or wouldnt recognise me, my mother etc was heartbreaking. Then the moaning and the catatonia set in. 2 years she lived like that. Selfish, I know, but if I could have pushed a button and ended it for her, I would have. I don't think there was a single time I left the home and didn't have a bit of a cry in the car. I hate dementia. Unfortunately it's hereditary. My kids will have instructions not to keep me going if I get that bad...

And it happens to so many people - my story is in no way special. If anything, my gran was one of the more docile cases.

The part I watched though, as with all of Louis' shows, was handled with a lovely sensitivity. I managed to watch for a lot longer than I initially anticipated.

Matt80M

Original Poster:

1,140 posts

203 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
Dunclane said:
Strange combination of emotions, sometimes sadness but other times happiness. When sufferers DO recognise their loved ones you know it's true like a child, if you know what I mean?
Yeah, the elderly couple really did care didn't they.

Edited by Matt80M on Friday 27th April 12:06

simonNOSking

141 posts

176 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
Yes i watched his program last week about autism,it made me appreciate my wee boy so much, I'm so proud of him each day as he battles with his autism daily, he puts up with people judging, laughing, being scared of him and still he has a massive smile on his gorgeous wee face. I could totally identify with that show last week.

TVR Tommy

630 posts

256 months

Thursday 26th April 2012
quotequote all
My Granmother is starting to fall into the later stages of the illness. It's so sad when you think back to how she use to be. But I thank my lucky stars I have good memories of how she once was. I've got so much respect for my Granfather. He's still looking after her at home. But being proud man, he says he's copping. You can tell he sometimes finds if very hard, but just gets on with it. I go to visit when ever possible.

I hope they come up with a way of slowing or even better stopping this sad slow demise.

Japveesix

4,576 posts

199 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
Quite a moving documentary, thought Louis handled it all incredibly well and very sensitively.

As with most people I've seen family members declining like that and it really isn't pleasant and can be incredibly hard to know how to deal with it.

Good stuff, may have to watch the autism one as well as I missed that.

Otispunkmeyer

13,830 posts

186 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
OpulentBob said:
Watched it up until "the 4th floor" - that was the equivalent of how my grandmother was at the end. The nurses said she was happy in her own mind, but the fact she couldn't or wouldnt recognise me, my mother etc was heartbreaking. Then the moaning and the catatonia set in. 2 years she lived like that. Selfish, I know, but if I could have pushed a button and ended it for her, I would have. I don't think there was a single time I left the home and didn't have a bit of a cry in the car. I hate dementia. Unfortunately it's hereditary. My kids will have instructions not to keep me going if I get that bad...

And it happens to so many people - my story is in no way special. If anything, my gran was one of the more docile cases.

The part I watched though, as with all of Louis' shows, was handled with a lovely sensitivity. I managed to watch for a lot longer than I initially anticipated.
Same as my Grandma.... though she got worse than that. In the end she couldnt even speak, or really articulate in anyway. But you could tell the person you knew was in there and was just begging to get out. Sometimes it would just be vaccant stares and mumbling, but other times you could just see in her eyes that she recognised me, her daughters, her grand children. Was a fighter all the way... so much so that she even put up a struggle against her eventual passing. Wasnt pleasant to watch, but she was a fighter and that trait was there till the end.

Having seen that first hand... I just hope my mother doesnt get it, I really don't. I mean its like being forced to watch a very slow death sentence. Horrible.

jumpingloci

239 posts

246 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
I don't know anyone who's ever suffered from dementia but I watched the show last night and it really made me appreciate life, and how quickly it can all come tumbling down. A terrible disease. Hope they find a cure soon.

anonymous-user

85 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
My grandad had fairly severe dementia (not quite "4th floor" level, but reasonably close) up until he died.

Found that quite difficult to watch TBH frown But Louis did a great job of it, as usual.

PumpkinSteve

4,251 posts

187 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
EDIT: Wrong show :/

whoami

13,201 posts

271 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
PumpkinSteve said:
EDIT: Wrong show :/
nono

That edit was probably for the best.

rolleyes

69 coupe

2,459 posts

242 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
His new series is not like his others where their is an ulterior weird funny 'wtf' motive.
It's a very well done series so far on Autism & this episode on Alzheimer's were excellent & thought provoking.

I couldn't spell 'World' backwards & the memory test I think was "Penny Apple table" Apple could have been maple didn't quite here it. I do worry for my own forgetful mind.

Edited by 69 coupe on Friday 27th April 23:37

anonymous-user

85 months

Friday 27th April 2012
quotequote all
not seen many adverts on it but this serious is very serious and grown up, more mature viewing and not seen much adverts on the show.

AndyT77

1,755 posts

193 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
What channel was it on? Can i catch it on iplayer or 4od?


greygoose

9,674 posts

226 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
It was on BBC2.

Very good episode and gave a good view of the patients and their families. The fourth floor was dreadful and a good argument for euthanasia.

Benjurs

446 posts

209 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
AndyT77 said:
What channel was it on? Can i catch it on iplayer or 4od?
Iplayer..was on BBC 2 Thursday night. It's available now and I'd recommend watching the first program on autism as well,if still available.

Hope this helps you out !

Benjurs