A new Channel 4 documentary following legendary journalist Jon Snow as he navigates his Alzheimer's diagnosis will air this evening at 8pm. The film shows Snow attempting to land a final scoop by investigating a mining disaster in Zambia that has devastated a local community's land and water supply.
Jon Snow's Diagnosis and Decision to Go Public
Speaking about his diagnosis in the documentary, Snow said: "At the beginning I wanted to hide it, there’s so much prejudice. Any sort of hint of mental decay, you're sort of dead." He added: "There are moments when it pops up but it's not an all day, every day condition, and that's what I cling onto. I've witnessed a great deal, I hope I’ve learned something – but I've still got a huge amount to learn. We all have. There's still more to do."
Snow, who is supporting the Alzheimer’s Society, decided to open up about his diagnosis to raise awareness of the condition, which affects around one million people in the UK. Despite initially being reluctant to see a doctor, a cognitive assessment and brain scan confirmed he had Alzheimer's disease.
Snow's Career and the Documentary's Story
Jon Snow is one of the most respected British broadcasters of his generation. He spent over three decades at Channel 4 News from 1989 to 2021, reporting on stories including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama's inauguration. In his student days, he read Law at the University of Liverpool but was expelled for his part in an anti-apartheid protest.
While on safari at Victoria Falls for the documentary, Snow hears about a catastrophic mining disaster that has received almost no media coverage. With his wife's support, he embarks on one last big story to fight for the Zambian community affected.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease progress slowly over several years, and the rate of progression varies for each individual. According to the NHS, other conditions such as infections, stroke, and delirium can make symptoms worse. Certain medicines can also worsen dementia symptoms. Anyone whose symptoms are rapidly getting worse should see a doctor for management.
Early Symptoms
- Forget recent conversations or events
- Misplace items
- Forget the names of places and objects
- Have trouble thinking of the right word
- Ask questions repetitively
- Show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
- Become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
Middle-Stage Symptoms
- Increasing confusion and disorientation – for example, getting lost or wandering
- Obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
- Delusions or paranoia about carers or family members
- Problems with speech or language (aphasia)
- Disturbed sleep
- Changes in mood, such as frequent mood swings, depression, anxiety, frustration or agitation
- Difficulty performing spatial tasks, such as judging distances
- Hallucinations
Later Symptoms
- Aggressive behaviour, such as hitting or shouting
- Becoming upset or restless
- Calling out or repeating the same question
- Difficulty eating and swallowing (dysphagia)
- Difficulty changing position or moving around without assistance
- Weight loss – sometimes severe
- Unintentional passing of urine or stools
- Gradual loss of speech
- Significant problems with short and long-term memory
The NHS advises that other conditions can be responsible for worsening symptoms, including infections, stroke, and delirium, and that anyone with rapidly worsening symptoms should be seen by a doctor.
