DDN Review of 'The Alzheimer's Project'

It’s been in the news all week, and now for those who don’t know how to access the videos, we bring them to you here, thanks to the HBO website. A must see, however if you have a dodgy internet connection like myself, you may tear your hair out a bit as at least on my screen there is no fast forward function (which can be a pain if you watch half then your connection cuts out).

THE MEMORY LOSS TAPES
Two parts: Approximately 85 minutes in total duration

Extremely and progressively moving video that brought me not just to tears, but to howling tears. There were so many echoes of my father, seeing and talking to people in mirrors, wandering room to room (at least now thanks to Woody, I might now be able to guess at what my father was thinking when he was doing that – ‘Nope, nobody here…’) and those extraordinarily wonderful yet extremely painful moments when they ‘come back’ and you have them again for that moment.
I was also very impressed with the care homes they showed, is that how all care homes are in the United States or is were these just those that the more affluent can afford?



GRANDPA, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
Approximately 30 minutes in duration

Again I was in tears, hearing many of my own thoughts expressed in the words of children, it still hurts even when you are an adult. I’d recommend this to anyone who has children who are dealing with a family member who has dementia as it may answer some of their questions and help them to see other children feeling the same emotions. However, I would recommend that parents watch it themselves first, so that they can identify areas in the film where they might want to add in their own comments when their children watch it. One comment that would apply to my family, and probably to others, is that although Alzheimer’s might affect the memory, not all people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease completely forget who their family members are.



MOMENTUM IN SCIENCE
Two parts: Approximately 2 hours in total duration

Very informative. This video looks at the many different areas that scientists are researching in, in the hopes that they can either prevent, slow down or cure the disease. If you are new to the disease this will help you understand the background to a lot of the news stories posted on here. If you have been reading about the research for years like myself, this video can get a little boring however, and you may find that the supplementary series (below) is more what you are looking for.



The Supplementary Series:

Understanding and Attacking Alzheimer’s – 12 mins

Repeats a little bit of what was covered in the main ‘Momentum in Science’ video but is very positive and interesting. If you want to feel hope, watch this.



How Far We Have Come In Alzheimer’s Research – 15 mins

A great history and overview of scientific research plus a good dose of hope as well.



Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment – 20 mins

Provides some information not only on what can be the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease but also Llewy Bodies dementia and touches on frontotemporal dementia. Supports the importance of early diagnosis.



More of the Supplementary Series Videos:

The Role of Genetics in Alzheimer's - 12 minutes

Advances in Brain Imaging - 11 minutes

Looking into the future of Alzheimer's - 6 minutes

The Connection Between Insulin and Alzheimer's - 21 minutes

Inflammation, the immune system and Alzheimer's - 29 minutes

The Benefit of Diet and Exercise in Alzheimer's - 16 minutes

Cognitive Reserve: What the Religious Orders Study is Revealing about Alzheimer's - 20 minutes

Searching for an Alzheimer's cure: The Story of Flurizan - 30 minutes

The Pulse of Drug Development - 15 minutes

The DeMoe Family: Early Onset Alzheimer's Genetics - 25 minutes

The Nanny/Felts Family: Late Onset Alzheimer's Genetics - 20 minutes

The Quest for Biomarkers - 17 minutes

CAREGIVERS
Approximately 48 minutes in duration

A touching portrayal of caregiving during different stages of the disease. It wasn't too teary because for the most part the caregivers depicted were so strong, no doubt because they had to learn to be. There was also a bit of a message of hope towards the end and I think the important things to take from this film is to always try to live in the moment when you are dealing with dementia causing condition, and look after yourself because you are no use to your loved one if you get sick. I particularly identified with what one of the caregivers said, that the moments you can make them happy even in last stages, make it all worth it