The arts, Alzheimer's and Boomers

By BERNA HUEBNER

A way to help Boomers who get dementia does exist. The power of the arts to improve the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s  disease and to help them connect and reconnect with their families is just beginning to be understood.

A film, which has been described by people in the field as groundbreaking, describes how the worlds of art, science and medicine intersect. It addresses the critical discourse on Alzheimer’s care with far-reaching implications for Baby Boomers, who are reaching the age when they might develop Alzheimer’s.

The documentary is called I Remember Better When I Paint (the trailer is at irememberbetterwhenipaint.com). It is narrated by Olivia de Havilland and provides powerful examples, including that of Rita Hayworth as told by her daughter Yasmin Aga Khan, of how families and other caregivers can use the creative arts to help people with Alzheimer’s. It also includes interviews with neurologists who explain the science behind these hopeful stories. Neurologists in the film explain that parts of the brain related to emotions and creative expression are spared to a large extent. These areas can be stimulated through exposure to the arts.

We hope that this film will help change the way people look at Alzheimer’s.

In her review Gail Sheehy says “It shows an entirely new pathway for engaging with a loved one you thought was lost.”

Berna G Huebner

www.irememberbetterwhenipaint.com

Director, The Hilgos Foundation, Highland Park, Illinois

Co-Directors of the Film: Eric Ellena and Berna G. Huebner