Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and it affects as many as 5 million people in the United States, according to the Alzheimer's Association. It is also the 6th leading cause of death. Though most people who have Alzheimer's are over 65, early-onset Alzheimer's can cause noticeable symptoms in your 40s.
For the people living with the disease as well as those who love them and care for them, these videos can be a source of education and support.
Alzheimer's Association: 2016 Facts and Figures
Alzheimer's affects millions of people, multiplied by the number of family members and those who care for them. Using graphics and figures, this quick video drives home the prevalence of the disease and the importance of research to find better treatments, and possibly a cure.
Alzheimer's May Start Decades Before Diagnosis
Alzheimer's is often thought of as a disease that only affects older people. And while it is certainly more common in older adults, did you know that degenerative brain changes, including the plaques and tangles common in Alzheimer's, can actually start in middle age? Dr. Michael Greger explains the research behind this and other findings in this informative video.
The Effects of Early Onset Alzheimer's
The personal chronicles of Alzheimer's disease have the potential to affect people who don't have firsthand experience with the disease. This film, from Chad Weed, follows his mother and how Alzheimer's has affected her since being diagnosed in her early 50s. Chad’s videos follow his mother before and after a two-year missionary trip, showing just how fast the disease can change a person's life.
The First Day of the Rest of My Life
What happens when a husband can no longer care for the growing needs of his wife with Alzheimer's? This video shows the day that John took his wife Kerry to her new home, where she'll be cared for by professionals. It's a story, experienced by many others, about how people must relinquish some control when Alzheimer's takes their loved ones far beyond their abilities to provide care.
Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewell
This hour long, BAFTA-nominated documentary is the story of Malcolm Pointon, a composer who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when he was in his 50s. The touching film showcases not only how the disease affects Malcolm, but his wife and caregiver Barbara, who can do little but watch as it takes hold of her husband.
Marie Loves the Freedom to Follow Your Own Interests in Research
You don't often get to peek into research labs, and rarely do you get the opportunity to hear from the scientists who work on Alzheimer's risk factors and screenings. Marie Saxon is an Alzheimer's researcher at Northwestern University. This video, from LabTV, profiles the scientist and her work, offering an inside look into her motivations and how she spends her time.
A Marriage to Remember
Pam White was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease when she was in her 60s. This short documentary from "The New York Times" looks at the effects of the disease on her life and her marriage. As the spouses of people with Alzheimer’s are often thrust into the position of being a caregiver, the disease can dramatically affect family dynamics. Most touching about this video is the love between Pam and her husband.
Meet Bob, Who Lost His Wife to Alzheimer's
What is it like to spend decades married to a person, only for them to one day not know who you are? Bob met his wife in the 1930s, and this video chronicles their life together. It includes the progression of her Alzheimer’s disease, including the day she turned to him and asked, "Where’s Bob?" The disease eventually took his wife, and now, at 92, Bob depends on the friendships developed on a phone line to brighten his days.
Alzheimer's Is Not Normal Aging — And We Can Cure It
In this thought-provoking TED Talk, scientist and Alzheimer’s researcher Samuel Cohen highlights just how little progress has been made in the fight against Alzheimer’s. After explaining its debilitating effects and the physical processes which cause it, he goes on to talk about a new milestone in his lab's own research, and why he thinks that a cure is at hand.
The 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease, Through a Caregiver's Eyes
It is one thing to read about Alzheimer's, and it's another to see it. This affecting video from Toni Wombaker chronicles her mother's journey with the disease. You’ll see family videos and hear narration from Toni, who cares for her mother in her advanced stages.
Through The Eyes of Someone with Alzheimer's
What does it feel like to have Alzheimer's disease? It's difficult to capture the experience, but this video tries. Take a look at how it might feel to be cared for from the moment you wake until the moment you retire for the night, and what it’s like to not recognize your own home or the people in it. Sometimes it's difficult to care for people with Alzheimer's, because we don't know what they're going through. This video is a good reminder.
