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BBC Breakfast viewers were left in tears by pregnant Nina Warhurt’s “emotional” dementia film amid her father’s ongoing battle with the disease

BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst was once again praised for continuing to discuss her father’s battle with dementia on Monday’s show.

The 42-year-old political editor made a short film for the BBC highlighting the plight of people with dementia and the far-reaching impact on family members who are left to care for loved ones.

And Nina has been inundated with messages of support from fellow carers after airing her first post on the subject earlier this month.

Nina, who is pregnant with their third child, and her sisters Amy and Mel are currently looking after elderly father Chris, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022.

She said: “It was really comforting for me and my sisters to read so many of your stories, even though we know ours. We feel a little less alone.”

Honest: BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst, 42, was once again praised for continuing to speak out about her father’s battle with dementia on Monday’s show

Candid: The political editor made a short film for the BBC highlighting the plight of people with dementia and the far-reaching impact on family members left behind to care for loved ones.  (Sisters Amy and Mel with father Chris in the photo)

Candid: The political editor made a short film for the BBC highlighting the plight of people with dementia and the far-reaching impact on family members left behind to care for loved ones. (Sisters Amy and Mel pictured with dad Chris)

Thanks: And Nina has been inundated with messages of support from fellow carers after airing her first post on the topic earlier this month

Thanks: And Nina has been inundated with messages of support from fellow carers after airing her first post on the topic earlier this month

Dementia, a degenerative disease for which there is no known cure, usually affects the brain’s ability to think, remember and function normally, with patients typically losing memory over time.

She left viewers in tears with the latest episode, in which the family spoke candidly about the pressures of daily caregiving.

Someone rushed to Twitter and wrote: “Crying because of the dementia segment. I also cared for a loved one with vascular dementia. She passed away last year. Greetings to all carers/families.

A second commented: “My mum had dementia and it was so, so hard to deal with. Less than adequate help for my father who lived with it day to day. Thank you for opening up to the world about your experiences.”

With a third saying: “Thank you very much for your very special contribution to the subject of dementia this morning. The nurses do a great job 24/7 under the challenging conditions, all the best!’.

And another wrote: “Nina you and your family are so kind and honest to be so open about your dear dad’s dementia diagnosis it has affected me as much as my Alzheimer’s it has been such a difficult time and she was always worried! Glad to hear your dad is doing much better.

Nina said earlier this month that she felt guilty for losing her temper over her father’s forgetfulness as he struggled with the degenerative symptoms of dementia.

‘[Me and my sisters] I was lucky my father never got angry,” she told BBC Breakfast on Monday. “I know it can happen with different forms of dementia, but he didn’t understand that it happened.

Tearful: On Twitter, someone wrote: “I'm crying about the dementia segment.  I also cared for a loved one with vascular dementia.  She passed away last year.  My warm regards to all caregivers/families

Tearful: On Twitter, someone wrote: “I’m crying about the dementia segment. I also cared for a loved one with vascular dementia. She passed away last year. My warm regards to all caregivers/families

Family: Warhurst and her sisters Amy and Mel are currently looking after elderly father Chris, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022

Family: Warhurst and her sisters Amy and Mel are currently looking after elderly father Chris, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022

“When we talked about changing the lineup, maybe a little relief, he thought there was nothing to worry about.

Having to tell little lies all the time just broke your heart, but it was in his best interest. There were times when “if I don’t lie to him to get us over that hump, we won’t make it”.

“And he called me 10 times a day and said, ‘I want you to come over,’ and then I got there and he said, ‘What are you doing here?’

She added: “It’s hard not to be angry at this point and that was the surprising thing, I felt really guilty for being angry at him.

“I took it out on him and I had two young kids at home that I didn’t see very often and I wasn’t focused on work, so there are those ripples that run through your family as well.”

Moving: The political editor made a short film for the BBC in which she examines the plight of people with dementia

Moving: The political editor made a short film for the BBC in which she examines the plight of people with dementia

Emotional: Warhurst broke down while discussing her father's condition

Emotional: Warhurst broke down while discussing her father’s degenerative condition

Warhurst took to Instagram last year and admitted she was devastated after her father failed to recognize her

Heartbreak: Warhurst took to Instagram last year and admitted she was devastated after her father failed to recognize her

Warhurst took to Instagram last year and admitted she was devastated after her father failed to recognize her.

She shared a photo of herself and Chris and wrote: “My dad. I’ve missed him so much this week. Dementia means he’s here but not here. Today was the first time he couldn’t place me right .

Then he took out a new glasses holder. He was of course pleased with that, but knew it was nice to be happy with a new cause.

“He taught me to laugh in a way. Good from the stomach. And laugh at myself.”

She added: “We all hold on to those deep-rooted connections for as long as we can. Dementia is not the end. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.

“So much respect for his key player today because he told me it’s about nurturing those connections rather than missing the ones we’ve lost. The staff are superstars and that means the world.”

If you are affected by anything in this article, please call the Dementia UK helpline on 0800 888 6678.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a generic term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

Dementia is a generic term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A WORLDWIDE CARE

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behaviour.

There are many forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common.

Some people have a combination of different forms of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person experiences dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global problem, but it is most common in wealthier countries where people are likely to live to a very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKED?

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. By 2040, this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of people diagnosed.

There are an estimated 5.5 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. A similar percentage increase is expected for the coming years.

The risk of developing dementia also increases with age.

Diagnosis rates are improving, but many people with dementia are believed to remain undiagnosed.

IS THERE A MEDICINE?

There is currently no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow its progression, and the earlier it’s caught, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Source: Daily Mail

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