Dr. Eboni Green
February 18, 2022
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), In 2020, an estimated 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people living with the disease doubles every five years beyond 65. The CDC posits that this number is projected to nearly triple to a whopping 14 million people by 2060.
The rapidly increasing cases have morphed many friends and families into full-time caregivers. Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases require loads of patience, knowledge, and the strength to care for your loved ones as you watch them disappear. The job of an Alzheimer’s caregiver is no small feat.
The disease has been the main storyline for many Hollywood movies, and the latest to join the throng is ‘Not to Forget.’ The heart-gripping film has famed actress Karen Grassle as the lead with an accompanying cast that includes five Oscar-winning actors. ‘Not To Forget’ is distributed by Vertical Entertainment and is the final project of Cloris Leachman and Olympia Dukakis.
In ‘Not To Forget,’ actress and author of ‘Bright Lights, Prairie Dust.’ Grassle plays an aging Melody who has Alzheimer’s. We got the opportunity to interview Grassle and get a deeper look into the importance of the film and her take on Alzheimer’s disease.
In the interview, Grassle candidly speaks of her mother who had dementia and how that enticed her to the role. She expresses adoration for her sister and brother-in-law. They took up the mantle of caregiver to her mother during her illness. Grassle says that she could still assist with household work in the early stages of her disease. However, as Alzheimer’s progressed, they focused on keeping her safe and comfortable. Having such an intimate experience with the disease also allowed her to empathize with the many patients who live in denial of what they are going through.
“Panic!” That’s what Grassle says was her initial feeling, especially as she saw her mother live with the disease. Soon her panic gave way to a professional urge to tell not only her mother’s story, but those of all Alzheimer’s patients. By playing Melody, Grassle states she could fully comprehend the feeling of losing control and slowly losing yourself that Alzheimer’s patients suffer.
Seeing her sister and brother-in-law become caregivers to her mother, Grassle shares the following advice:
She posits, firstly, accept help. Having the proper help benefits you and your loved one. Grassle states that without the appropriate support, burnout is imminent. She was earnest about this, as she likens her sister to burn toast at the end of the caregiving journey.
She further implores all caregivers to read ‘The 36-Hour Day.’ Suggested by her sister and touted as the bible for families caring for loved ones with the disease, the book helps you to get the most out of your time when interacting with an Alzheimer’s patient.
Lastly, she urges all persons living with Alzheimer’s to make their end-of-life preferences known. She firmly states that end-of-life preferences are the cause of many family squabbles. Grassle says that her parents were adamant they didn’t want extra measures. After receiving her mother’s prognosis and the doctor suggested hospice, it was quickly agreed that would be the best option. With hospice, Grassle states, her mother was comfortable and progressed through her disease with great dignity. She credits the transition as being seamless because they previously had the discussion.
“Hats off to individuals who do the work. They are the fabric of our communities who receive little credit for the work they do.”
Not sure how to talk about Alzheimer’s with family members showing symptoms? Watch ‘Not to Forget’ with your whole family to get the conversation started. Fun, warm, and honest with the right amount of humor, ‘Not to Forget’ will incite strength while tugging at your heartstrings.
