'Elizabeth is Missing'

Hi everyone,

Did anyone else see the great adaptation of Emily Healey's novel 'Elizabeth is Missing', on BBC TV last night (Sunday 8th Dec)? I thought that Glenda Jackson was a triumph as dementia sufferer Maud and I tried hard to forget the novel's plot, knowing that changes were inevitable to adapt it from the page to the screen.

Of course it's a story, but one which really manages to highlight some of the difficulties of an older lady going through the changes that dementia wreaks.

Whether you read the book or not, if you didn't see it, can I be allowed to recommend it? I think it's available on BBC iplayer and it is well worth a viewing.

[klr31]

I saw it and thought it was excellent.

Karen

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

Hi Karen, good to hear from you. I hope life's treating you kindly.

[klr31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I'm slowly getting there, I hope. I'm presently learning Reiki II and have had counselling and hypnotherapy. It's a process isn't it but we must keep moving forward.

I hope you are coping too.

Kxx

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

So glad to hear you are able to slowly move forward Karen. You're right, it is a process and can be a long one, and it takes as long as it takes you as an individual. You can't do it to anyone else's timetable, and sometimes the journey has to pause for you to take stock. So take care of yourself and only do what will keep you on the path. I think the Reiki is a fantastic idea. It often seems to be as therapeutic to the practitioner as to the recipient.

I've had an up and down year this year, but like you, keep moving forward as it's really the only option open to us, and as an official 'elder' in life, I just try to remember each morning that I'm pretty lucky to still be here. Take care and I hope you'll find some enjoyment during the madness that we call Christmas! Take care! xx

[klr31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. We are just having a quiet one at home. I hope you have a lovely Christmas too and peaceful 2020. (Gosh, where does time go to!).

Kxx

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

Indeed....!! xx

[klr31 in reply to Hidden]

I have Reiki fairly regularly and have done over the years to help my health but now have the time to learn it myself and a lovely teacher who will break it down into 4 manageable chunks for me as, due to my low energy levels, this works better and is easier for me to cope with.

Kxx

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

It's really so nice and also appreciated when someone understands your personal challenges and will work with you to help you to achieve your goals. I'm so glad that the Reiki is beneficial as a treatment for you too. Honestly, I believe that whatever you find that helps to get you through has to be a great thing. And the lovely thing about Reiki is that even if it doesn't help, it doesn't harm. And thousands of people will testify to the fact that it has helped them! x

[klr31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

I still don't know what to do about complaining to the hospital where dad died. I keep putting it off but am wondering whether the CQC need to know about lack of staff and the treatment which in effect killed him. I did fill a questionnaire out after dad died and his death was looked into and nothing found untoward, but I have a sense of unease still, even after all this time.

Karen

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

Yes, that's a really difficult one Karen. It's probably down to whether you feel that taking it further will really make a difference for others, or not.

It's quite hard to know what's considered acceptable care in these uncertain times too, and I don't envy you in trying to make up your mind what to do. I guess you can only go with your conscience in the end. But first and foremost take care of your own physical and mental wellbeing because you are, happily, still here with us, and your own needs are now the most important thing. x

[klr31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

Karen x

[Hidden]

I thought it was superb and could particularly identify with the daughter who got to the end of her patience with her mother and shouted at her when she was rude to the granddaughter. I think many of us have been in that position, however hard we try not to.

[sassy59]

I didn’t watch it but will try and catch it on iPlayer. Xxx

[Hellebelle]

Hi, I did see it and I thought it was excellent. It was also great at depicting the stress that it causes family members too.

It was so true to life and well worth a watch. Helen xx

[XSitch38]

Yes, I watched it and thought it was very good. I really felt for the daughter and was sad at the lack of support, although it is just a story. Glenda Jackson was extremely convincing too as the dementia sufferer, and it portrays how frustrating it can be to the sufferer as well as the family. Sad but very real.

[san_ray70 in reply to XSitch38]

I thought it was a true story, at the end they showed the real people, it was very sad.

[calista]

I watched it with my husband who has Dementia but he doesnt identify himself with it !

It was very sad and as xstitch says very sad for the sufferer as well as the carer .

It was a good story too in that Maud solved the mystery in the end .

[MEW53]

Brilliant drama, so true to life.

Glenda Jackson acted the part so well, nice to see her back on our screens.