Sources of content about dementia

In a previous blog we've spoken about books and films that shed light on Dementia, but in today's world so many people now turn to platforms such as: tik-tok, instagram, youtube and other streaming services for information and connection. From bite-sized videos made by Carers and People living with Dementia, to in depth documentaries and inspiring TV dramas. There is so much content out there for us to access, to help inform and support and even make us laugh.

In this blog we will be exploring some of these resources - the good; - the bad; - the powerful; - the informative; - the heartwarming and everything in between…..

Let's dive in.......

Podcasts

The recommended list:

What the Dementia?
Living Our Best with Memory Loss (we particularly recommend this one!)
Dementia Care Partner Talk Show

All of these can be found online and on websites too, so you don't need spotify or apple to listen to these. These are all very easily accessible.

What the Dementia?

The host discusses the important issues that you may encounter as a Carer. She offers practical suggestions and methods to deal with difficult situations that may arise. You will be introduced to different Dementia Care topics. The podcast makes you question certain practices that may be better approached differently.

Review (from sixtyandme.com): "The best podcast on Dementia that integrates Dementia Care topics into everyday conversations. I would highly recommend this podcast to anyone with a family member, friend, or spouse living with Dementia."

2. Living Our Best with Memory Loss

This podcast is crafted for individuals coping with Dementia and their Carers. The podcast holds conversations and stories that can help a handful of people find guidance and community. The hosts of this podcast have either a Dementia diagnosis or are caring for someone who does. This makes it more relatable and empathetic to the sensitive topic at hand.

Firsthand experiences with memory loss allows them to speak with authenticity and vulnerability, creating a genuine connection with listeners who may be facing similar challenges. Their goal is to break down the stigma surrounding Dementia and provide practical advice grounded in real-life experiences. By sharing their journeys, they hope to offer a sense of solidarity and hope to those affected by memory loss, making the podcast an invaluable resource to those in need of support.

Each episode has different guests talking about their lives, and how they make the best of life with memory loss. The makers have taken something that is seen as horrendous and life destroying, and turned it into something positive and really insightful. As mentioned, it is full of first person accounts and expert insight. There's a lovely session actually with Adria Thompson who works in BelightCare (we’ll talk about her a moment, as she has a fantastic Instagram page).

3. Dementia Care Partner Talk Show

This podcast aims to help you navigate the senior care maze. You will learn and laugh as the host discusses creative solutions and ideas to common and uncommon Dementia care challenges, and how to make sense of the senior care industry and options when you’re not a professional. Most episodes are about five to ten minutes long, so easy to listen to on car drives.

Teepa Snow is the host of this show, and she is a Dementia care specialist, and the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Team share about Dementia so that everyone can understand why changes are happening and how you can support those living with brain change in a more positive and respectful way.

Social media

Belightcare (Highly recommended by us!)

Adria Thompson is a seasoned Speech and Language Pathologist with a Master's in Communication Disorders dedicated to improving the lives of People with Dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. As a health care practitioner, faculty member and aging advocate, she teaches practical, evidence-based Dementia strategies. Her instagram account has small reels from 30 seconds long to 8 minutes long that are full of useful information and tips. You can also find her on TikTok, Facebook or her website: www.belightcare.com.

Her Facebook account has some really useful hints and tips. When you follow her on these platforms, her content will keep springing up on your feed - the hints and tips she gives are useful, informative, especially her videos because they're interesting, insightful and they don’t go on and on and on. Even when you think you know everything, there's always more to learn!

Little Jess

Social media content creator and TikTok star known for posting lifestyle vlogs on her little_jessx TikTok account, also shares singing videos and is a Dementia advocate. She often posts heartfelt moments with her grandmother who has Dementia. Her videos can also be found on youtube. Her stories and encounters with her nan are becoming awareness tools too and are very touching.

Jake and Whitefoot

You can find multiple channels on TIK Tok and Instagram about Dementia: Jake who looks after his Grandad, and Whitefoot who looks after his father are two examples. Both are lovely, sentimental, and special. The videos show the grandson and son making memories with their loved ones who are suffering and give an honest representation of what it's like caring for someone with Dementia.

TV

Limitless with Chris Hemsworth -National Geographic Channel Disney+

Chris Hemsworth is on an epic mission to discover how to live better for longer. With the help of world-class experts, family, and friends, he embarks on a series of immense challenges to push himself to new limits and stop the diseases of old age before they take hold. The focus is on living life to the full, and increasing longevity.

The Limitless series sees Hemsworth test his body and explore ways to live longer and healthier. He was told during filming his Limitless series, that tests he had undergone showed he had genes which indicated he was at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The Marvel star was subsequently given the option of removing any references to Alzheimer's from the show, but decided to include his genetic risk of Alzheimer's to improve awareness and understanding.

Eastenders Nigel and Home and Away Irene

*Actor Paul Bradley as Eastenders character Nigel.*

Both soap operas showing Dementia is good for the audience as it raises awareness for several reasons:

It normalises conversation about Dementia: soap operas are like a part of daily life for many people. Seeing Dementia portrayed makes it less taboo and easier to discuss within families and communities;
It raises public understanding: storylines can educate viewers about symptoms, progression, and the impact of Dementia, often in a more relatable way than news or documentaries;
It reaches a wide and diverse audience: soap operas attract viewers from all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. This helps spread awareness beyond people already interested in the topic of Dementia;
It promotes empathy: watching a character they care about go through Dementia can build compassion, understanding, and patience towards People living with Dementia in real life;
It shows the realities of caregiving: highlighting challenges faced by Carers, helping audiences recognise their struggles and the need for support services;
It challenges stereotypes: soap operas can show that People with Dementia still have identities, humour, emotions, and relationships, not just memory loss and confusion;
It signposts to support: often soap operas work with charities to ensure storylines are accurate, and may include helpline numbers or websites for viewers to seek advice or help;
It encourages early recognition and diagnosis: seeing early signs on TV can prompt viewers to seek help for themselves or loved ones sooner, enabling better planning and care.

Care (2018) – Available on Apple TV

Genre: Drama

Plot: This BBC One drama stars Sheridan Smith as a woman trying to care for her mother, who has Dementia, while balancing her own life and responsibilities. It explores the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving.

Why it’s important: Care highlights the often-overlooked impact of Dementia on caregivers, showing the strain it can put on relationships and family dynamics.

Television Adverts

Cadbury kickstarted the New Year by launching their latest advert, ‘Memory.’ The heartwarming ad tells the story of a father living with Dementia, who never forgets his love for his daughter, despite not always recognising her. In the film, he shares an untold story from his past after he is gifted a bar of Dairy Milk Wholenut. ‘Memory,’ which features Alzheimer’s Research UK’s logo on the endplate, was launched on 1 January 2025.

Listen to Corresponding Dementia Hour Episode