Since the release of the movie “Still Alice” in January, the film has drawn rave reviews for its accurate portrayal of Alzheimer’s disease. The movie opens locally in Dipson Theaters tomorrow.
“I have Alzheimer’s Disease…. Early onset,” utters Julianne Moore’s character in the movie “Still Alice.” Moore plays Dr. Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor at Columbia University, a once vibrant educator, mother and wife struggling to maintain her sense of self as she copes with early onset or young onset Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s diagnosed before the age of 65.
One scene depicts Dr. Howland with her daughter trying to explain what Alzheimer’s feels like. “I can see the words hanging in front of me and I can’t reach them and I don’t know who I am, and I don’t know what I’m going to lose next.”
That’s a feeling which more than five-million Americans who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can relate to according to statistics provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Western New York Chapter Executive Director Leilani Pelletier tells WBFO the disease is on a crippling path.
“We can treat the symptoms a little bit but in terms of a cure, there is none. As far as a way to prevent it, there is none. There is no way to slow the progression of it. There is nothing to do about it. The medications that are used to help manage the symptoms over time are helpful, but really to make an impact on this disease to stop it - there's nothing.”
Pelletier says projections indicate 16-million Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by the year 2050 unless something is done soon. She notes currently spending on care for Alzheimer’s patients costs billions – that’s billions - of dollars each year, while only about $166-million is spent on research.
“What we’re spending on research versus what we’re spending on care through Medicare, Medicaid, insurance and private funding is way out of proportion.”
“Last year President Obama signed into law NAPA, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, which is meant to pull the government around this impending tsunami of people with Alzheimer’s Disease, try to make a plan to increase funding over time, but that still takes a lot of work to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, Pelletier says those fighting for more funding for Alzheimer’s research hope the movie “Still Alice” puts a face on the disease, draws more money for to help find a cure, prevention or help for those dealing with the symptoms. She also hopes the movie lifts people’s fears about talking about Alzheimer’s.
“What I hope is that people that are impacted by the disease right now, take this as a tool and will feel more comfortable talking about it. That they’ll reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association for help and support. If they’re concerned, they have questions, to call us and just talk about it. Calling us doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s Disease, it just means you have some questions. “
“I hope this will empower people who are living with disease to see that it can be done beautifully and also for their families to know how it important their role is in the life of that person, in helping to make them well and to live a good life.
For more information on the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association click here.