It's one of the challenges of public service broadcasting to make programmes about subjects some people might rather ignore. I include myself in that.
On Sunday on BBC Radio Wales we start a series of programmes focusing on dementia. According to various surveys, the disease is by far the most feared by people over the age of 55.
The Dreaded Disease - David's Story is a three-part series that tells us about dementia from the point of view of Beti George - a well-known and accomplished Welsh broadcaster. Her partner of almost 40 years - writer, broadcaster and rugby commentator David Parry-Jones, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009.
One of my most vivid memories of growing up was listening to David's commentary of Welsh rugby internationals on TV. So it was really sad to hear Beti describe what has happened to him when she came in to talk to us earlier in the year. At that point, the team and I felt it was really important to both tell the story, and explore the issues involved, on Radio Wales.
Beti's three programmes will give you an insight into what it's like to live with dementia, from her and David's point of view and also from a host of other people who've had to face up to the "dreaded disease" in their personal or professional lives.
The programmes look at the social stigma around dementia, the difficulties facing carers, and also at the efforts being made to ensure those with dementia can live as full a life as possible.
And that final point is important, because however difficult the subject is, the series is not all doom and gloom. There's some great and uplifting work being done to try and make sure that victims of dementia can live their lives with a greater degree of dignity.
You can hear The Dreaded Disease - David's Story on Sunday at 1.30pm, then on Monday and Tuesday at 6.30pm. On Wednesday morning, Beti will join Jason Mohammad to discuss some of the issues explored during the series with listeners.
Plus, starting on 14 July we'll be repeating Fiona Phillips' moving two part series, Ty Hapus, about the work being done to cater for younger people diagnosed with dementia.
