One of the most devastating forms of memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Today, Alzheimer’s is the second most-feared illness in America, following cancer, and may affect as many as five million Americans. As the baby-boom generation reaches retirement, that number could soar to more than 11 million by 2040 and have a huge economic impact on America’s already fragile healthcare system. While there is no cure for the disease, THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT shows there is now genuine reason to be optimistic about the future. Scientific research is gaining momentum in discovering ways to treat and possibly prevent this devastating brain disease.
Aiming to bring a new understanding, THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT features a four-part documentary series, 15 short supplemental films, a robust website and a nationwide community-based information and outreach campaign. A book published by Public Affairs Books was developed by the producers as a companion to the project.
The ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT is a presentation of HBO Documentary Films and the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health in association with the Alzheimer’s Association(R), Fidelity(R) Charitable Gift Fund and Geoffrey Beene Gives Back(R) Alzheimer’s Initiative. The series producer is John Hoffman; the executive producers are Sheila Nevins and Maria Shriver.
Air dates and times
Sunday, May 10 at 9 p.m. EST – “The Memory Loss Tapes”
“The Memory Loss Tapes” takes an intimate look at seven individuals living with Alzheimer’s, seeking to introduce a new understanding by sharing the devastating experience of memory loss from the point of view of the person with the disease.
Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST – “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver” and “Momentum in Science, Part 1″
“Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver” is a is geared toward children and young teens coping with a grandparent’s illness, and presents vignettes that can help a child understand and deal with a relative’s gradual decline into Alzheimer’s.
“Momentum in Science” is a two-part, state-of-science odyssey that takes viewers inside the laboratories and clinics of 25 leading physicians, revealing some of the most cutting-edge Alzheimer research advances.
Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST – “Caregivers” and “Momentum in Science, Part 2″
“Caregivers” is a collection of five family portraits that illustrate caring for the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The evening concludes with “Momentum in Science, Part 2.”
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I think it’s so great that HBO is shedding some light on Alzheimer’s and caregivers. I like that they are combining science and human interest.