TV show Emmerdale filming one-off dementia episode

Producers of the popular TV show, Emmerdale, are planning to air a special one off episode centred around dementia. The episode will follow the storyline of Ashley Thomas, a popular character in the long running TV show, that was diagnosed with early onset vascular dementia, after suffering from a stroke.

The episode is currently being filmed, and unlike other episodes of Emmerdale, the filming will take a far different direction. Both the camerawork and editing will have a different approach in order to help portray how different the world is for those living with dementia. The directors are working with both Alzheimer’s Society and MHA (Methodist Homes) to ensure they are portraying the degenerative neurological disease truthfully.

There are currently 850,000 people in the United Kingdom that have been diagnosed with dementia, with the number set to rise to over 1 million people by 2025. Dementia and Alzheimer's have both received a lot of coverage in the past 6 months as scientists rush to create the first cures available. A group of researchers from Flinders University in America think they have cracked the cure, and will soon begin clinical trials.

The Emmerdale producers aren’t the first people to attempt the portrayal of life with dementia. Earlier this year, Alzheimer’s Research UK partnered with virtual reality specialists to create “A Walk Through Dementia” app; an experience designed to give people a further understanding of the hardships people face as they go about their daily lives.

It’s great to see the mainstream media shining a light on a commonly misunderstood condition; as more TV shows start to feature and discuss the neurological disease, the knowledge and understanding of the general public will improve.