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Beyond Memory: A Documentary About Dementia
2006
1 h 15 min
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The new documentary Beyond Memory is an intimate revelation of what it's like to live with dementia, or to love someone with this disease. The five individuals and families profiled in the film offer an essential lesson about living each day. Elaine, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at just 47, works to keep her brain active, and becomes the first known Canadian with Alzheimer's to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A 1950s rhythm & blues star, 82-year-old Milton can't remember the words to songs but can still show off the dance moves that first attracted his wife, Ruby. George gave up his job …
The new documentary Beyond Memory is an intimate revelation of what it's like to live with dementia, or to love someone with this disease.
The five individuals and families profiled in the film offer an essential lesson about living each day. Elaine, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at just 47, works to keep her brain active, and becomes the first known Canadian with Alzheimer's to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A 1950s rhythm & blues star, 82-year-old Milton can't remember the words to songs but can still show off the dance moves that first attracted his wife, Ruby. George gave up his job and moved home when his mother's memory failed. He patiently reminds her of all the important details in her life, save one: Alberta's forgotten she has Alzheimer's. Gord, a former Revelstoke maintenance supervisor for CP Rail, works closely with his wife, Claudia, to make plans for his future. And, suffering from a rare and fast-moving form of dementia, 57-year-old Dede has pretty much had her memory wiped clean. Yet, when her husband, Gerry, enters the room, she smiles. Her connection to him has survived her memory.
The five individuals and families profiled in the film offer an essential lesson about living each day. Elaine, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at just 47, works to keep her brain active, and becomes the first known Canadian with Alzheimer's to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. A 1950s rhythm & blues star, 82-year-old Milton can't remember the words to songs but can still show off the dance moves that first attracted his wife, Ruby. George gave up his job and moved home when his mother's memory failed. He patiently reminds her of all the important details in her life, save one: Alberta's forgotten she has Alzheimer's. Gord, a former Revelstoke maintenance supervisor for CP Rail, works closely with his wife, Claudia, to make plans for his future. And, suffering from a rare and fast-moving form of dementia, 57-year-old Dede has pretty much had her memory wiped clean. Yet, when her husband, Gerry, enters the room, she smiles. Her connection to him has survived her memory.
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producerSharon BartlettMaria LeRose
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directorSharon BartlettMaria LeRose
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narratorMaria LeRose
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director of photographyMax Lindenthaler
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additional cameraGeoff Rogers
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location soundGeorge ColmerBrent CalkinMarc BenoitRichard CrooksPeter Kepkay
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off-line editingChristopher Holmes
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original musicLesley Sutherland
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online editingBrice Dowd
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unit managerLaura Grieco
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video graphics artistTim Johnson
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sound editorMarc Benoit
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VTRRenee Dion
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content expertHoward FeldmanIan MacKenzieKiran Rabheru
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participantElaine WrightGord GrantClaudia GrantMilt MurrillRuby MurrillGeorge TomlinsonAlberta TomlinsonGerry MatierDede Jamieson
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manager of production and developmentDavid Gullason
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director of programmingSarah MacDonaldMichele Paris
Ages 13 to 18
School subjects
Lesson Launcher - During Film
- Identify examples of how dementia has impacted the day-to-day lives of those living with it.
- What impact does dementia have on those caring for family members with this disease?
- Explain the ways in which relationships between those who have dementia and their family members have changed.
- What were strategies that people in the documentary used to help them in their day-to-day activities?
Post Viewing
- Research the different types of dementia and compare/contrast the specifics of the disease in terms of symptoms, causes and treatments.
- Research different support groups that exist for family members who are responsible for those living with dementia.