Lee Gorewitz trying to make sense of her family photo. (Used without permission)
Lee Gorewitz, one of 20 residents in a Danville, California nursing home, tries to live her life with dignity.
In less than 2 minutes this portion of a documentary filmed exclusively in an Alzheimer’s care unit shows us how Lee tries to hold her life together and interact with others despite living with Alzheimer’s.
Watch the “Trailer” clip (link above) then if you are able to take time, watch the other three short clips. Click to buy the documentary.
Michael Ellenbogen, age 54, who has lived with symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s since age 39 was invited to view this 2-minute excerpt. Life came crashing down upon Michael when as a high level IT manager, his organization and detail orientation began to wane. He lost his job. It took 10 years before he received the diagnosis that would change his and his family’s life. [TCV Update 11/5/2020 URL to Ellenbogen’s website no longer available.]
Michael responds briefly to 3 questions posed by The Caregiver’s Voice (TCV). We posted Michael’s responses (ME) as written (without editing) with the exception of dividing his last answer into 2 paragraphs.
TCV: What do you notice?
ME: I see a place I never want to end up in. I can really relate to the title.
TCV: How does it make you feel?
ME: I wish they would show the younger persons who has this disease. It would have a greater impact.
TCV: What advice do you have for caregivers?
ME: Before giving up on your loved one and placing them in a home consider the following. It’s very important that Alzheimer’s patients continues their daily routine and surroundings as much as possible to maintain some level of sanity if that is even possible. They should eat, sleep and attempt to do the same activities at the same times.
One thing I learned is that we the caregivers need to change our own expectations and must learn to become a detective if you are going to be successful at care giving. It’s not easy, but keep in mind that the patient is slow loosing there brain and you need to become smarter. No one could ever replace the person who knows the patient the best. It will take all the patients you have and the ones you don’t, but don’t give up on them. If possible learn and write all there likes and dislikes before it to late.
Thank YOU, Michael for shedding light on what it is like to try to function normally in a world clouded by Alzheimer’s. Thank you also for offering suggestions for caregivers.
The Caregiver’s Voice will be featuring more from Michael in the future.
To learn more about Michael Ellenbogen, read the article or view the video at Alzheimer’s at 39 – Fox News. [TCV Update 10/20/2020 URL no longer available.]
Brenda Avadian, MA
Editor, The Caregiver’s Voice
Alzheimer’s / Dementia Caregiver, Expert Spokesperson, Coach, and Author
