HBO’s The Alzheimer’s Project

Note: This post deals with personal matters but may help other people.

Back in April, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Since then, I've been looking for information on the Web about the disease.  Over the weekend, I found a series of documentaries from HBO called The Alzheimer’s Project and I learned so much about the disease.  You can watch them on HBO but they are available for free on HBO’s Website.  You can also buy the DVDs from Amazon.  I watched them and I ordered the companion book from Amazon.

The first documentary is called “The Memory Loss Tapes” and it profiles seven people living with the disease, each in an advancing state of dementia, from its earliest detectable changes through death.  Very emotional.  It shows the road ahead and that road can be very bumpy.

The second one is called “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” and is targeted at children who have to cope with grandfathers or grandmothers suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

“Momentum In Science” is a two-part documentary that takes viewers inside the laboratories and clinics of 25 leading scientists and physicians, who seek to discover what can be done to better detect and diagnose Alzheimer's.  Very informative. 

Lastly, “Caregivers” shows the great tool that the disease puts on families.  Very emotional. 

I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for information on Alzheimer’s.  You can watch the videos here:
http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/index.html

They also created a Facebook app that let you create a tribute to a love one.  Here’s the one I created for my mother:
http://apps.facebook.com/thealzheimersproject/tribute.php?tributeID=1682

The road ahead will not be easy and this is how I’d like to remember my mother: a fun, loving and caring person.

Love you Maman.  Love you so much.