TV drama to reveal anguish of dementia
SCENES from a gripping new drama showing sisters struggling to support their dementiastricken mum were released by the BBC yesterday.
Sheridan Smith and Alison Steadman star alongside Sinead Keenan in Care, a 90-minute film based on the experiences of writer Gillian Juckes.
The drama, co-written by Ms Juckes and Cracker creator Jimmy McGovern, follows single mother Jenny (Sheridan Smith), whose life is turned upside down when her mother Mary (Alison Steadman) suffers a stroke and develops dementia.
Jenny, who had been relying on Mary for help with childcare, finds herself struggling to balance her own needs and the needs of her children with those of her mother.
The supermarket worker and her sister Claire (Sinead Keenan) have to make tough decisions as they battle to keep their family afloat. Unable to afford the round-the-clock care her mother needs, Jenny realises she will have to fight to preserve mum’s quality of life.
BBC Drama controller Piers Wenger said: “It’s always an honour to work with Jimmy McGovern, here joining forces with Gillian Juckes on her first script for a television drama.
“Together they tell a truly remarkable story of one woman’s battle to get the best care for her mother.
“The cast, led by the wonderful Sheridan Smith, will portray this poignant story with the warmth and gravitas it deserves.”
Dementia describes different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function.
Symptoms include memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.
There are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with the number predicted to rise to more than a million by 2025.
Around 70 per cent of people in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Unpaid carers supporting someone with dementia save the economy an estimated £11billion-a-year.
Ms Juckes said: “It has been a great experience working with Jimmy and a wonderful opportunity to write about a subject very close to my heart.”
Bafta award winner Sheridan Smith, 37, previously starred alongside Alison Steadman, 72, in hit BBC comedy series Gavin And Stacey.
Irish actress Sinead Keenan, 40, is best known for her roles in Little Boy Blue, Being Human, and London Irish.
l Care will be broadcast on BBC One on Sunday, December 9, at 9pm.