The Alzheimer's Disease Project
Memory Loss Tapes: HBO Documentary
For this assignment, you will watch the first 40 minutes of this HBO documentary which is the story of four people with Alzheimer's Disease. (It is an excellent program - and if you have time, watch it in its entirety which is 85 minutes). The web link to the video is located below these instructions for the assignment. While watching the video, note that you can make the picture a full screen size by clicking on the small icon that looks like the one below, which is located on the lower right hand side of the video box:
In the video, you will meet four older adults with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in the following order: Bessie, Fanny, Joe and Yolanda. They are in various stages of AD, and you will be able to see the progression of the disease process across the segments. For the assignment, answer the following questions of at least 1 page each.
1. In Bessie's story (first woman), what are some signs and evidence that she is in the beginning stages of AD? In particular, what are some of the changes that you observe that are not the normal changes associated with aging? Provide examples. Additionally, what are some risk situations in her functioning that you would want to assess as her AD worsens?
2. For Fanny (second woman), what are some ways that she evidences lower levels of functioning than Bessie? What are some of the emotional components that she and her family are struggling with presently? From the class segments last week, her driving poses an ethical dilemma - describe the ethical issues that are part of this situation?
3. What are some unique aspects of Joe's life situation and experience with dementia? How do you assess his and his family coping with this condition? What the aspects of loss that Joe describes in the story of his dementia?
4. Yolanda is fairly progressed in her dementia. In what areas is she more compromised than the other three individuals? How would you assess her "reality testing"? What is it like for her family to see her in this condition?
5. Overall, what is your reaction to watching the video? Why is learning about AD important for social workers and other human and health service providers who will work with older adults and their families?