More than a year in the making, "The Alzheimer's Project" is a four-part documentary series airing on HBO May 10-12.
The first of the four documentaries, "The Memory Loss Tapes" (May 10, 9 p.m. Eastern), provides an up-close and personal look at seven individuals living with Alzheimer's. "Momentum In Science, Part 1" (May 11, 8 p.m. Eastern) and "Part 2" (May 12, 8 p.m. Eastern) is a state-of-the-art science report that takes viewers inside some of the most cutting-edge Alzheimer research advances.
"Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?" with Maria Shriver (May 11, 7:30 p.m. Eastern) captures what it means to be a child or grandchild of a person with Alzheimer's. "Caregivers" (May 12, 7 p.m. Eastern) highlights the sacrifices and successes of people who experience their loved ones' gradual descent into dementia.
"The Alzheimer's Project" would make a wonderful title for a story about us!
Seriously, after I read (as a lot of you have) the story a few days ago about AD and diabetes being linked, I really wonder who all these researchers are studying?
I have Type 2, and no AD. My mother was type 1, and no AD. Andrea was never diabetic, and she gets EOAD. There are three case histories right there that say "Nope" on that connection!
If any of these researchers had a clue about who to study, they would come straight to this board. We have so much more in our wealth of info, more than any filing cabinet in a doctor's office. I know we've tried before to link things ourselves, and we've probably come dang close.
It is my sincere belief that we on this board have the clues; we just don't know how to tie it together. It's a shame they don't use our knowledge. We'd give them what they need to sew it all up.
When I first read an article a few weeks ago about it possibly being a type 3 diabetes, I got the impression that it has nothing to do with people who have type 1 and 2. This is a totally different type of diabetes that affects the brain.
For diabetics being at more risk that could just be due to the compromised systems they may have from the diabetes itself - especially those that do not take care of themselves. This can be true of stroke victims and other diseases. I have PCOS which, because I have never been pregnant, puts me at a higher risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes, uterine cancer, etc. etc.
From what I've read, in my simple mind, it seems that the brain doesn't have the ability to properly use glucose. That's the similarity between AD and diabetes. But the brain can use the MCT oil to feed brain cells. Sunshyne is going to jump all over me for this kind of explanation. :-)
No ... but it's a good way to simplify it so others can grasp the basics. And the folks at Accera are using an explanation that's pretty much that simple (although they don't make any references to diabetes, of course.)
Back to the topic of The Alzheimer's Project documentary--I was told by someone who works at the Alz Association, who had previewed the show, not to watch it by myself. I assume it is very realistic and something difficult for people in our shoes to watch. I do plan to see it, somehow.
I tried to write this last night, but something was amiss with my cable service, and it wouldn't post. Maria Shriver introduced a short segment of the HBO special at one of our meetings in DC. The clip we saw was of a young woman descending into the depths of AD from a healthy, beautiful, vibrant woman into a blank, bloated, shell of a person on her death bed. It was brutal to watch. I would highly recommend the special, especially the part we were shown, to those who are UNFAMILIAR with the ravages of AD. However, I would NOT recommend telling anyone with early AD to watch that part. That is just my opinion - I have no intention of even telling Sid about it. Everyone can make up their own minds about it. I will be posting information about the special on the home page of the website - www.thealzheimerspouse.com.
You can pre-order a DVD of the special from Amazon - The link is right in the middle of my home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com. I get a tiny commission on all all orders, and any little bit helps keep this site going.
Joan--From what I was told, I agree. I won't let Steve see any of it until I have previewed it. The only part that might be ok for him would be the segment on treatment, if it is sounding positive.
I contacted DISH about offering HBO the nights of the show and they emailed back that they will give me the month for free as a courtesy - just have to remember to call them. What a surprise that was.
When it is on, I will record it and watch it without my husband. From what I hear, he doesn't need to see it even though he watched his dad go through it and now his sister.
DISH network is allowing HBO to be free the three nights it is on. I found out by checking the channel that list what is offered free for the month. So if you have DISH you can watch it or record it for viewing later.
I don't understand what you mean about the show being free where you could have HBO if you paid for it. I can't find anything that says that. I emailed our cable carrier a couple weeks ago and asked about getting it free. Their answer was to send me a phone number where I could call to find out which of their packages to order to get HBO (not free). Do you think that if we tune in to the channel where HBO is on, we will be able to get the show?
As an extension of The Alzheimer's Project documentary series, HBO invites you to become involved in learning more about Alzheimer's disease. The Project hopes to encourage further discussion about research and care in communities across America through FREE screenings of The Alzheimer's Project films. HBO will offer select national organizations and their local chapters a turn-key screening kit filled with resources and tools to host special screenings, with value-added discussions of the films' powerful content. Your organization can request a kit with any one or all of the four films and register to be part of this national discussion. Many resources are also available for immediate download.
yep, thanks Chris, I was just coming on to correct my panic post! Everyone who has cable, whether or not they usually subscribe to HBO, can watch the series.
I was at an HBO screening of Caregivers. The series will be on other cable carriers for free at their own discretion. It will also be on hbo.com and you will be able to stream it from there. It is not being released to the public prior to May 10th unless it is ordered thru a http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/screenings/. People at the Caregiver screening were very moved by it. It was very touching.
I have heard the science section is long and contains some scientific studies. Like the diabetes connection, it sounds like they threw everything plus the kitchen sink in to keep all the scientists and NIH happy.
I goggled the documentary to see if I could get it for free but it seems that Cox Cable is the only company giving free access to it. It doesn't seem like Comcast will.
Did you look at this site? http://www.freepreview.tv/
It looks as if we will be able to get it on Comcast. I'm already upset with them about a change they made in the local channels we can get, so if we don't get this documentary, I'm changing providers.
Our Comcast provider has a special on HBO--$7.99 a month, so I signed up this month. Just have to remember to cancel at the end of the month. Kind of like paying to go to a matinee I guess.
HBO says HBO will use all of its platforms, including the HBO main service, multiplex channels, HBO On Demand, HBO Podcasts, hbo.com, HBO Channel on YouTube, and DVD sales to support the project. In addition, all films will stream free of charge on hbo.com and will be offered for free on multiple platforms by participating television service providers.
so I guess if you have high speed internet but your cable co. isn't providing it free, you could watch it on your computer. Which MIGHT make it easier for you to watch it alone.
I was warned by a staff member at the Alz Assn that these films were intended for caregivers, families and the general public, NOT for persons with the disease. I had hoped my husband could watch the segments on the scientific developments with me, but I guess I'd better preview them first. He would still be able to understand the content, and I certainly don't want to upset him.
Marilyn, did they say what the content was that was "not appropriate for persons with the disease". Just curious. I had discontinued HBO since he never watched the movies and I rarely did...but am tempted to resubscribe. It wasn't that much come to think about it. I would rather watch it on the larger plasma tv than my computer. I may get the DVD for my reference files. Has anyone among us seen the film?
What she said is that it is emotional, you will cry, I think it shows the progression of the disease over time in particular people. She told me not to watch it by myself. I think it just must really be a frank view of what happens to people and the contrast from start to finish of the process must be tough to see. If this is so, I can understand why someone with the disease, who still has good comprehension, would be disturbed by it. I don't remember--did Joan say she saw a preview of it in D. C.? Perhaps she can add more.
FYI- I called our provider Direct TV last Saturday and was told it would not be available to me. I told them HBO was allowing it to be veiwed "for free" and if I could not see it "for free" I would find another provider. Within fifteen minutes on the phone they told me I would be getting HBO starting Thursday night.
My husband & I saw a preview on the science part last week. He enjoyed it and said it was the best documentary he's ever seen. We will be watching the whole series as a family (including adult children). My husband watched his mother through this disease so he is well aware of the end stages. Allowing a spouse to view this should be an individual decision.
The memory loss tapes are interviews from those with AD. Some of your spouses may be able to relate to this- again it should be your decision.
This information is from their own site as well as the site that we were sent to up-thread. The programs will be on various HBO stations from May 10 to May 12. I'm recording them. I don't know if I will be able to watch them or not. I will see how it goes.
I won't have a chance to watch them without DH around. Do you think we'll be able to check them out at a video store after they've been shown on TV? I would have to watch them in the middle of the night because DH is with me any other time.
Maybe I'm just weird, but I don't know if I even want to watch it. Actually, I couldn't because DH doesn't go to bed/sleep until I do. If anything, I may purchase the DVD for later on. I just have mixed feelings about it. I do hope it will help those who do watch it, however.
Thanks, Joan, I think your choice of "brutal" nixes it for my husband, except perhaps for the science parts. Trish--My husband also saw his Dad 's decline from AD until his death. However, it's funny, he thinks his condition is different, and I've encouraged that. I am glad that he doesn't realize what the future holds for him, and am doing all I can to protect him from the hideous truth. Apparently, your husband must be in a different place emotionally.
marilyninMD, two of my DH's close friends died with AD. He knows what the end looks like but, like your DH, he feels that his case is different since he's older than they were when it started. I agree with him and tell him that it's such a slow disease that maybe something will be found to help or something else will probably get him before he reaches the end stages. I would not want him to see the documentary but I ordered the DVD from Joan's website. Hope I can find a time to watch it. I've done enough research that I know about all the bad stuff. I will probably cry when I watch it but I sometimes cry when I read this website.