Is it right for people who have dementia to be exhibited.

I don't think this is how she will be remembered. It was a lovely series and I enjoyed it, especially seeing the close family relationships they have, but I think for most people the name Prunella Scales will forever conjure up memories of Fawlty Towers rather than her canal trip.

So glad I am not the only one who feels this way,though I think "exhibited" is the wrong word to use.I also feel uncomfortable watching this programme at times when Prunella seems a little vague and disorientated.It is not a matter of hiding away people with dementia,more about dignity and respect.

She clearly has quite significant lucid intervals where she will know how she is. This is the most difficult time for someone with dementia because they know what is happening to them. I think we can assume that they discussed it and she wanted to do it and they are obviously a close family who would be protective of her. She still comes across as a lovely person.
My grandmother would be in this state for a while and she would be upset when she realised that my grandfather was cross with her because she had put the teapot in the airing cupboard again (he wasn't well himself and it was a bit of an effort for him to have to hunt for things). She would say that her mind was going. It would have been great for her to have something to do that she really enjoyed to take her mind off what was happening to her. Once the dementia took hold she was very happy but it was obviously difficult for anyone who had known her before.

I didn`t realise she has dementia just thought she was in her scruffs ,( there is no point dressing up for canal boating before anyone jumps on me ) she comes across as a lovely lady as she has always done .

I don't think she looks dishevelled at all, I think she looks quite "cool" and in common with other people who enjoy boat holidays.

It annoys me the way Timothy West keeps alluding to her dementia, when she seems reasonably alright. It's a programme about canal boating, which I enjoy, so why keep bringing it up.

I think she should do whatever she wants to do while she still can. And that applies to all of us. I don''t think Timothy would force her into anything she wasn't happy with.
So, good luck to them and long may they enjoy their canal boating.

i also have enjoyed the series of programmes - and all respect to prunella scales. she obviously enjoys travelling on the canals and i understand they both have done this for much of their lives together.
i hope she gets to do whatever she wants whether it's in front of a camera or not for as long as she is able.
it's lovely seeing both of them enjoy themselves and i don't mind timothy west mentioning her disability in the slightest. it's something which has hit him hard and this is his way of coping - and coping very well.
long may they enjoy their trips and i hope to see them on the tv in future.

I watched Still Alice yesterday, a film about early onset Alzheimers.
Is it okay to watch a film about it, but not see it in real life?

I would be very surprised if there wasn't a Power of Attorney involved in this, with Prunella Scales having given her permission about how much could be shown.

Still Alice is brilliant, thought provoking and very well made.

I enjoy the canal programmes with the Wests and Prunella seems perfectly fine to me apart from being a little absent-minded (aren't we all?) I'm sure she would object if she didn't want to be filmed.

Wrong place? I don't think that the programme is trying to be about Style and Beauty!!

I ve only seen a couple of shows and found it NO way demeaning People come in all forms and all states of minds do we really feel the need in the C 21 to hide them away A few of the children's programmes have a downs or cerebal palsy kid in them Corrie has a Downs lad, we have comedians in wheelchairs or somehow else disabled and good on them Terry Prachett was another person who preferred to be open and seen as a dementia sufferer as have a few celebrities with Parkinson's or Motor Neurone are we supposed to hide Steven Hawkins away Not at all its life and TV now more than ever with all the reality shows depicts life as it is, warts and all

I was a carer for my late mum until she died, she suffered from Alzheimer's. I find this programme strangely comforting as Tim seems to struggle at times, just as I did, not to let irritation show. Good on them both, they seem deeply devoted, and having spent their lives displaying emotions through drama, are now showing a real life example of love. Agree with others, though, don't know how Pru bites her tongue as he merrily bashes into all and sundry.

I love the programme, but I too get irritated with the frequent mentions. We know it must be difficult, but it's as if he was saying "Aren't I a good husband looking after her so well".

She might like it as she is an actress.
a friend of mines mother has dementia and her brother often puts pictures of her on Facebook without her teeth or doing something odd. If my sons did that to me I would be horrified. I said as much to my friend but she just laughed. I find it quite disrespectful. This lady is ninety and does t know what's going on.

I don't think he's saying that at all.
Carers do tend to get overlooked. It's hard being a carer fulltime.
People on here have said they only watch a couple of programmes, therefore it needs to be repeated for anyone who watches just a bit of it.
It's like kids with autism; if you do not know, you just think they are being naughty.

I am living with end of life dementia and it does kill it's a long slow death and an endless goodby as you lose them slowly as my mum is in end stages which can last months, I did see our scales and watched the programme she must be on the early stages God bless her x

Spot-on Aggie!! He come across as a most pompous person - impatient with Pru but never wrong!! I love the series though.

Anniebach - I can't remember, sorry. I think it may have been one those 'An Audience With ...' things.

Possibly TW is under a bit of strain being filmed while boating and, at the same time, looking out for Pru's welfare. He probably makes the comments without realising how often he does it.
The "stage show" comment sounds like something that may come from a family joke but hasn't come across so well in public.

I think Timothy has always been a slightly pompous man, he plays that sort of person so well. But Prue has lived happily with him for decades and if she notices she probably knows that it's just the way he is.
DH never wants to go anywhere so I think it's great to see people over coming obstacles and getting around.

Perhaps turn the question on its head-

it it right for people who have dementia to be hidden?

Good point, granjura. That still happens in some countries, and not just dementia.