Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewell (ITV1) has aroused such controversy that it's hard to see it simply as a documentary about Alzheimer's disease, rather than the latest example of that hot topic: TV fakery. Filmmaker Paul Watson has declared that he never intended to suggest that the film showed Malcolm's last moments, when in fact it shows Malcolm falling into a coma three days before he died.

Methinks Paul Watson protests too much. In the course of the programme, Barbara asks Paul: "Do you want to film the bitter end, Paul?" and he replies "Yes, if that's all right with you and the family." His commentary adds: "I did not think, when Barbara called me at dawn on February 8, 2007, that by day's end Malcolm's journey would be done." If Paul didn't want to give the impression that he filmed Malcolm's death, why does the programme title include the words 'Love's Farewell'?

In fact this documentary is an updated version of his 1999 film about Malcolm and Barbara, showing how Malcolm contracted Alzheimer's at the early age of 51 and Barbara cared for him devotedly. That was an emotional and moving film, and this is more so, although many of the distressing scenes were in the earlier film - as when Barbara cried out in pain when Malcolm gripped her arms too tightly. Wednesday's programme showed how Malcolm degenerated further, until his body was terrifyingly skeletal and he couldn't eat or speak.

Barbara dismissed the controversy over the documentary, saying "Does it really matter whether it Malcolm's death was two minutes, two days, two weeks after that point? It doesn't alter the fact that Malcolm died of this illness." The message of the film is more important: that, in Barbara's words, "Carers' goodwill is being exploited" and "If this government can find money when it wants it, like going to war in Iraq . . . where is the money for the most vulnerable members of our society?"

Richard is My Boyfriend (Channel 4), depicted a slightly similar situation. Michelle Taylor is the mother of 24-year-old Anna, who has the mind of a five-year-old. Michelle's over-protective attitude is challenged when Anna falls in love with Richard, a young man with Down's syndrome. This drama-documentary was another lesson in the pressures endured by carers, although it was less effective than Malcolm and Barbara because it confusingly mixed genres. The main roles were played by actors but the doctors, barristers and other professionals were played by real people. This mix didn't succeed completely, because the actors appeared less realistic than the real people. Matters were further confused when, halfway through the programme, a voice-over broke in to describe events. Nevertheless this was an educative look at the problems of people with learning difficulties. The drama subtly accentuated the situation by showing glimpses of 'normal' life. And the evident happiness of Anna and Richard's love was tellingly contrasted with the misery induced by attempts to control it.

People with Alzheimer's or learning difficulties can present problems for their loved ones, but so can drug addicts. TV Junkie (BBC2) told the story of Rick Kirkham, an American TV reporter whose drug addiction interfered with his career and his family life. The unusual thing is that this story was told through Rick's own videotapes, which he recorded almost obsessively for many years.

Through his videotapes, we watched his life unfold as he became a successful reporter, got married and had two children. But he had "a minor cocaine problem" which dated from the time in 1985 when he was a crime correspondent in Las Vegas and the police introduced Rick to crack cocaine. His existence was a roller-coaster, with periods of happiness clouded by bouts of drug addiction. The videos became distressing as he started arguing with his wife, Tami, and upsetting the children. Tami divorced him and Rick eventually managed to kick his damaging habit. It was a salutary lesson about the harmful effects of drugs. Just say no.