The 10 best films about Alzheimer’s disease

A selection of works that express the experiences of people with this disease and their families.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the best known neurodegenerative diseases.Its most characteristic symptom is the progressive loss of memory (which occurs gradually), together with the so-called aphasia-apraxo-agnostic syndrome in which there is also loss of speech, sequencing of movements and recognition of stimuli.

There is much fear and suffering caused by this disease, and many of the changes and symptoms experienced by sufferers and/or their caregivers are sometimes not understood by the population. The harshness and fear of this dementia have caused it to be often reflected in different arts, such as cinema. That is why it is interesting to know films about Alzheimer's disease that explore this set of experiences.

Ten movies about Alzheimer's disease

There are a large number of films that are based on or deal with the subject of Alzheimer's disease. All of them are of great interest and usually treat the subject with great respect, although from different fields and genres.

The following is a brief overview of a dozen of them. Due to their subject matter, most of these feature films are quite harsh, but we cannot fail to recommend them.but we cannot fail to recommend them due to their high quality. Of course, before going directly into it, we warn that some of the elements that are part of the synopsis could be considered spoilers.

Wrinkles (2012)

Based on a graphic novel of the same name, we start this list with an animated film. The film begins with Emilio being placed in an old people's home.He enters the residence unwillingly and without explaining to the viewers exactly why. There he will meet different residents among which his roommate, Miguel, who is characterized by unethical practices towards his fellow residents, will stand out.

Both men will end up forging a close friendship despite maintaining several conflicts, gradually discovering the reason why Emilio is in the residence: like other occupants of the center, he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the story we will witness, in addition to what other patients of the center experience, how the disease of our protagonist will progress and how he and Miguel react to these changes.

2. Stay with me (2012)

The story told in this film takes us to New Brunswick, where the protagonist couple lives on a farm. But as they grow older, Irene (the wife) will begin to show symptoms of dementiaspecifically Alzheimer's disease. Her partner, Craig, will decide to build a house on his land with his own hands, due to the impossibility of continuing to live on the farm, in order to make life easier for Irene. But to do so, he will encounter great difficulties, since the existing laws and regulations do not allow it.

3. Remember (2015)

As we have said, there have been multiple genres that have dealt with the theme of Alzheimer's. In this case, a thriller. In Remember we see how Zev (the main character), a resident in a nursing home suffering from Alzheimer's disease, decides after burying his wife to escape from the nursing home to seek and take revenge on Rudy Kurlander, a Nazi commander responsible for the death of his family during the war.

4. Always Alice (2014)

Alzheimer's is a disease that usually appears at an advanced age, but in some people it appears early. This is what happens to Alice, the protagonist of this film, who begins to realize that she has small forgetfulness that are becoming more and more important. Throughout the film we will see how Alice suffers the symptoms of this disease and how she fights to remain herself. how she struggles to continue being herself in spite of it, trying to live in the moment.

5. Poetry (2010)

South Korean film that shows us the story of Mija, who decides to sign up for a poetry workshop despite doubts about the possibility of reflecting her self in verses. However, Mija begins to suffer the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, having to suffer and cope with her illness while facing numerous problems, such as the rape of a girl by her grandson and other boys. It will be through poetry that Mija will be able to express her pain, feelings and emotions.her feelings and emotions.

6. Do you remember love? (1985)

This film tells us how Barbara, a highly loved and valued teacher, begins to show symptoms of Alzheimer's disease such as alterations in her mood and small forgetfulness and absent-mindedness and even some aggression. This is something that deeply affects her and her husband, and Barbara tries to find a solution by placing notes and instructions in different places in her home. notes and instructions in different parts of the house. in order to counteract his memory loss.

Eventually, she receives a notification that she has won an award, inviting her to accept it and give a speech. Despite the reluctance of those around her due to her illness, she will insist on going and reading a speech that she will prepare with all her effort.

7. Pandora's Box (2008)

Turkish film that reflects the difficulties and the disruption in life that this disease entails both for those who suffer from it and for their environment. The film begins with the disappearance of Nusret (the protagonist), a woman with Alzheimer's who has gone missing in the vicinity of her home. After she is found, we see how the family copes with the situationThe film begins with the disappearance of Nusret (the protagonist), a woman with Alzheimer's disease who has gone missing from her home.

8. On the Golden Pond (1981)

Not all films about Alzheimer's disease are as recent as the ones we have seen so far. In "On Golden Pond", we find the story of a family in Golden Point, which serves as their summer residence. There they will be visited by their daughter Chelsea, who has never had a good relationship with her father. Little by little we will see how the protagonist suffers the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

9. The Notebook (2004)

Although the film itself focuses more on the love story between the main characters, this film is very much associated with Alzheimer's disease.The story is told by Noa, who is in fact reading his diary to his wife. The reason for this: to try to get her, who is in a nursing home and has advanced Alzheimer's, to remember her story with him. Throughout the film, we will see scenes that tell us how their romance was together with moments in which we will observe the current situation of the couple.

10. Caregivers (2011)

We could not close this list without referring to a group that is often neglected when talking about Alzheimer's disease and that will also be profoundly affected by it: the family and/or caregivers of those suffering from it. This film/documentary offers us the perspective of different people who different people who act as caregivers and how the disease and how the disease affects both the patient and those around them.

My Way, Un momento para recordar, ¿Y tú quién eres?, Noel, El hijo de la novia... There are many more films that deal with this painful disease. We hope you liked this small selection and do not hesitate to suggest others that could be a good representation of the situation of people with Alzheimer's disease.