Soaps shine spotlight on cruel disease

Margaret Downes examines how television and radio storylines are reflecting how Alzheimer's disease can leave individuals and families struggling to cope

Television soap operas, those everyday dramas that use their plot lines to comment on a wide range of 21st century topics, are the usual target for critics who insist that, as viewers, we should get out more.

But recently, the writers of some of the most popular soap operas in both the UK and the US have turned their storytelling skills to inform us about a difficult real life topic, that of dementia.

Two of the UK's longest running soap operas on TV and radio, Coronation Street and The Archers, are both running plotlines that involve a main character having dementia, showing what it is actually like to live with a form of dementia known as Alzheimer's disease.

In the fifth series of The Sopranos, the popular black comedy drama about a New Jersey mob boss with family problems, Uncle Junior's mental decline and his eventual diagnosis with Alzheimer's was central.

What the soap opera storylines have shown us is that the experience of Alzheimer's can be different for every person and every family - depending on age, gender, family size, family relationships and social-economic circumstances.

When a person gets a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, plan for the future but live for the present. It should not immobilise you with anxiety or prevent you and the person with the condition from continuing your relationship, even if it is a changing one.

Mike Baldwin, a veteran character of 30 years in Coronation Street, has been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after several months of confused and unpredictable behaviour while Jack Woolly on The Archers has also been displaying signs of confusion and memory loss.

When it is received, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia brings denial, fear and heartbreak about a condition that can only be managed, not cured.

True to form, dramatic licence has been used in the dementia storylines - although Uncle Junior is increasingly muddled by Alzheimer's, he still manages to hatch an ingenious plan to get out of house arrest by going to funerals every day - but the behaviour shown by the characters is fairly typical of the condition.

All display the classic symptoms of dementia such as confusion, short-term memory loss, disorientation, poor sleeping patterns, wandering and increased levels of stress. Mike Baldwin turns up to work in his pyjama bottoms, starts signing cheques and gets frustrated and impatient when he can't express something the way he wants to.

The heartbreaking scenario of Mike asking his son Danny "who are you?" is typical of what many husbands, wives, children and grandchildren face with a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease. When Tony asked Uncle Junior "don't you love me?" it couldn't have been more poignant.

Mike's ability to remember his national service number from 50 years previously and yet failure to remember his phone number or that his wife Alma is dead is also typical of the condition where people's long-term memories can remain virtually intact while their short-term memory has gone.

The storylines successfully show that dementia is about more than just forgetting names and faces. Mike Baldwin knows something is wrong but he doesn't know what. He can't express himself. And he is becoming lonely and isolated as others start to shun him because they don't understand his behaviour.

The pressure placed on the family members of all three Baldwin, Soprano and Archer families is evident. They are feeling overwhelmed having to cope with unpredictable behaviour and see someone they love disappear into a world of their own. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland says there is support out there for families in this situation - they do not have to cope with dementia alone.

The society runs 31 day care centres, a respite centre, home care services and a helpline for those seeking advice and information. Information plays a crucial part in helping families to understand dementia, how it can affect someone's ability to communicate, behave and manage relationships.

Having information about dementia and being provided with help and support by family, friends and service providers such as the Alzheimer Society of Ireland can alleviate some of the effect of dementia on the person and the family carers.

The Sopranos storyline has almost come full circle, as has Mike Baldwin relationship with Ken Barlow. Tony began the Sopranos trying to get his overbearing mother into a nursing home against her will and suffering panic attacks as a result. Only now Tony, encouraged by his sister to put Junior away, is resisting this situation unable to bear that same guilt trip again despite the fact that Uncle Junior threatens violence when he thinks his cut of an old mob deal is buried in his backyard.

Mike Baldwin's condition has started to deteriorate rapidly after his stroke in Spain. He disappears from hospital and is found by his archrival Ken Barlow slumped on the steps of his factory. As Ken cradles the once proud and arrogant Mike in his arms, they talk about old times and although Ken calls an ambulance, Mike dies before it arrives.

This is the first time that soap operas have given such a high profile on the real-life topic that is dementia.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland hopes that it will raise awareness of the condition and encourage those potentially affected by the condition to seek help.

The freephone and confidential Alzheimer helpline number is 1800 341 341.

Margaret Downes is the press officer of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Facts and Figures

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that cause the brain cells to die. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia.

More than 35,000 people have dementia in Ireland, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common form.

Getting stuck for words and memory loss are early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease affects a person's mood and personality.

It affects their ability to carry out everyday activities, finding their way around, making decisions, understanding information and expressing themselves.

Alzheimer's disease can affect different people in different ways - not all people with Alzheimer's suffer all loss of functions.

The risk of developing Alzheimer's increases with age - its prevalence rising from approximately 1 per cent in people under 65 years old to more than 25 per cent for those over 80 years.

Alzheimer's disease generally progresses through three stages: mild, moderate and severe. People experience the three stages at different rates.

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, medication can help some people to continue managing their daily lives for longer.

There is no straightforward test for Alzheimer's. A diagnosis is usually made by excluding other causes such as infection, vitamin deficiency, thyroid problems, brain tumour, depression and the side effects of drugs which all can produce similar symptoms.

Information and support for people worried about Alzheimer's disease is available from the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland Helpline on 1800 341 341.