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This documentary offers a personal
glimpse into the lives of five victims of Alzheimer's disease, and their
families, in this eye-opening documentary. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, who
lost her mother, Rita Hayworth, to Alzheimer's, is co-narrator of the
program. In this powerful portrait of unconditional love, the victim's
families speak openly about their grief and frustration, describing the
sudden onset of the illness and the sense of loss that follows. They also
comment on the difficulty and stress which role reversals create within
the family structure. As the disease slowly progresses, viewers sense
the confusion and agony patients experience as they lose sight of what
was once familiar. One striking and tragic figure in this video is a woman
who does not have a strong network of family caretakers. The deplorable
living condition in which she survives delivers a strong statement about
those elderly members of society who slip through the cracks. Some of
the disease's genetic connections are explored.
