Gogglebox fans heartbroken by announcement from the Silbery family
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If you’re a fan of Gogglebox, then you have probably come to love the Silbery family from Sydney. Mother and daughter Kerry and Isabelle join Isabelle’s grandmother Emmie in front of the television every week to watch and comment on the latest in the world of reality TV.
However, the Silbery family recently made a heartbreaking announcement about Emmie early this week, much to the surprise of their fans.
Gogglebox fans have been left stunned after the Silbery family released an update recently about their beloved grandmother, Emmie, via the popular social media site Instagram.
The 94-year-old, who has been a part of the show since 2016, will no longer be returning to the series in 2023 due to her recent diagnosis of dementia.
‘We are sad to announce that Emmie won’t be joining us on the couch for @goggleboxau this season,’ the announcement read.
It continued: ‘It’s been a very challenging time for our family and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. Emmie has been diagnosed with dementia and we wanted to be transparent about this as many families experience it.’
The family also revealed that Emmie is now living in an aged care facility.
Isabelle told reporters that despite the difficult situation, her grandmother is now ‘safe and happy’.
‘I’ve been supporting mum who has all the weight on her shoulders as she makes some big decisions for Emmie’s future,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘It’s been a tough few months, watching my grandma deteriorate before our eyes with dementia.’
Isabelle explained that the three of them have always ‘maintained being real with each other’ and being honest with their viewers, which is why she wanted to share the news publicly.
She added that she hopes news of Emmie’s diagnosis will open up a conversation about dementia, how to support loved ones diagnosed with it, and the reality of grieving them while they’re still here.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that impact cognition and cause it to decline.
In 2022, it was estimated that up to 487,500 Aussies were living with dementia. It was also reported that, without a medical breakthrough, the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise to almost 1.1 million by 2058.
However, early this year news broke out that a drug called lecanemab was given conditional approval for use. It was previously found to reduce markers of amyloid beta, the protein in the body that causes Alzheimer’s disease (a form of dementia). Still, since this is still on conditional approval, it won’t be widely available until more research has been conducted. You can read more details – including the controversy surrounding this drug – here.
Isabelle shared that what’s best for Emmie now is to ensure her safety and happiness, that’s why they set her up in permanent care near their home so the family can visit her every day.
‘She’s stepping back from Gogglebox as it just wouldn’t be fair to her, and instead, she will be enjoying her evening wine whilst watching us on the couch.’
‘Rest assured, Emmie is still cracking jokes, still up for a cuddle and in blissful ignorance of her circumstance,’ she shared.
According to experts, a range of factors are known to contribute to the risk of developing dementia and may affect the symptoms’ progression rate. Some risk factors can’t be changed, such as age, genetics, and family history. While others are modifiable and can be altered to prevent or delay dementia.
These are the recommendations from the World Health Organisation:
We at the SDC are sending our thoughts to the Silbery family and hope for the best for Emmie.
However, the Silbery family recently made a heartbreaking announcement about Emmie early this week, much to the surprise of their fans.
Gogglebox fans have been left stunned after the Silbery family released an update recently about their beloved grandmother, Emmie, via the popular social media site Instagram.
The 94-year-old, who has been a part of the show since 2016, will no longer be returning to the series in 2023 due to her recent diagnosis of dementia.
‘We are sad to announce that Emmie won’t be joining us on the couch for @goggleboxau this season,’ the announcement read.
It continued: ‘It’s been a very challenging time for our family and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. Emmie has been diagnosed with dementia and we wanted to be transparent about this as many families experience it.’
The family also revealed that Emmie is now living in an aged care facility.
Isabelle told reporters that despite the difficult situation, her grandmother is now ‘safe and happy’.
‘I’ve been supporting mum who has all the weight on her shoulders as she makes some big decisions for Emmie’s future,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘It’s been a tough few months, watching my grandma deteriorate before our eyes with dementia.’
Isabelle explained that the three of them have always ‘maintained being real with each other’ and being honest with their viewers, which is why she wanted to share the news publicly.
She added that she hopes news of Emmie’s diagnosis will open up a conversation about dementia, how to support loved ones diagnosed with it, and the reality of grieving them while they’re still here.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that impact cognition and cause it to decline.
In 2022, it was estimated that up to 487,500 Aussies were living with dementia. It was also reported that, without a medical breakthrough, the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise to almost 1.1 million by 2058.
However, early this year news broke out that a drug called lecanemab was given conditional approval for use. It was previously found to reduce markers of amyloid beta, the protein in the body that causes Alzheimer’s disease (a form of dementia). Still, since this is still on conditional approval, it won’t be widely available until more research has been conducted. You can read more details – including the controversy surrounding this drug – here.
Isabelle shared that what’s best for Emmie now is to ensure her safety and happiness, that’s why they set her up in permanent care near their home so the family can visit her every day.
‘She’s stepping back from Gogglebox as it just wouldn’t be fair to her, and instead, she will be enjoying her evening wine whilst watching us on the couch.’
‘Rest assured, Emmie is still cracking jokes, still up for a cuddle and in blissful ignorance of her circumstance,’ she shared.
According to experts, a range of factors are known to contribute to the risk of developing dementia and may affect the symptoms’ progression rate. Some risk factors can’t be changed, such as age, genetics, and family history. While others are modifiable and can be altered to prevent or delay dementia.
These are the recommendations from the World Health Organisation:
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Don’t drink alcohol or drink in moderation
- Do some cognitive training, like puzzles or brain teasers.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep your blood pressure at a healthy level
Key Takeaways
- Emmie Silbery from Gogglebox won't be returning to the show after being diagnosed with dementia.
- Emmie is now living in an aged care facility, and her family is supporting her through this process.
- Isabelle, her granddaughter, said the family has maintained being real with each other and hopes this opens up the conversation about dementia.
- Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that impact memory, thinking and behaviour.