The Alzheimer’s Project: Caregivers

CAREGIVERS, PART OF THE

MULTI-PLATFORM SERIES THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT,

FOCUSES ON THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF LOVED ONES

WHEN IT DEBUTS MAY 12 ON HBO

Alzheimer’s, a fatal, irreversible and progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, takes a great toll on the physical and emotional well-being not just of the patient, but of the caregiver as well. It is estimated that there may be as many as five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, with about 70% of those cared for at home by family and friends. Overall, nearly ten million Americans provide 8.5 billion hours of unpaid care annually to people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease progresses differently in every person – survival time can be four to six years after diagnosis, or as long as 20 years. By the time someone with Alzheimer’s enters the early-stage disease, they begin to need help. They need a caregiver.

THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT: CAREGIVERS, debuting TUESDAY, MAY 12 (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT), is a collection of five family portraits that illustrate caring for different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Each highlights the sacrifices, struggles and successes made by those experiencing their loved ones’ descent into dementia. These caregivers can vividly remember the extraordinary lives their loved ones led as they watch their spouses and siblings slowly slip away with each passing day.

Other HBO playdates: May 14 (9:30 a.m., 9:00 p.m.), 17 (3:30 p.m.), 20 (midnight) and 30 (10:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: May 13 (midnight) and 17 (midnight)

CAREGIVERS is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Bill Couturié and created by the award-winning team behind HBO’s acclaimed “Addiction” project. A multi-platform four-part documentary series, THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT takes a close look at groundbreaking discoveries made by some of the country’s leading scientists, as well as the effects of this debilitating and fatal disease both on those with Alzheimer’s and on their families. Maria Shriver executive produces.

Featured in CAREGIVERS:

Chuck, who cared for his mother until she died, discusses the rare genetic mutation that resulted in 12 of the 14 children in his mother’s family dying from Alzheimer’s. Diagnosed in 2004, Chuck, at age 54, tries to cope with its onset, supported by his wife Marianne. While he appears healthy and lucid, he confesses embarrassment at the prospect of slipping into dementia. Living in the moment, Chuck and Marianne move forward into the next chapter of their lives. Says Marianne, “I still feel we can enjoy a lot of things right now. We both try to stay in the present.” Adds Chuck, “At this moment there is something beautiful going on around me that I can enjoy, so I choose to find the part that’s really beautiful and enjoy it.”

Jude cares for Daphne, her partner of 24 years, who was once a brilliant astrophysicist. After six years, Daphne falls ill and is hospitalized. Though encouraged by Daphne’s indomitable spirit, Jude struggles with denial, as well as the loss of the woman she loves. She eventually confronts her partner’s mortality and finds solace at a local Alzheimer’s Association support group. Daphne comments, “Alzheimer’s is just a part of my life. And I get along with it. I try not to dwell on it.”

When Nacho is diagnosed with the disease, his son Mike takes him into his home, sacrificing his own health and losing his girlfriend. As his father’s condition worsens, Mike is no longer able to care for Nacho alone and must have him admitted to a nursing home. Mike and his siblings meet regularly at the facility to discuss the increased challenges caused by their father’s disruptive sleep patterns. Says Mike, “You try not to worry about, you know, how bad it is or how bad it’s going to get. And just kind of deal with it day-by-day.”

Jackie cared for her husband Marvine at home for as long as she could. Since he was admitted into a nursing home, she visits him every day. Her optimism and faith are a clear source of strength for her husband and family, as well as other residents she has befriended at the facility. “Even in the end stage, you can make them feel good about themselves – it’s a miraculous thing to see,” comments Jackie. The couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and Marvine’s 72nd birthday with a family party at the nursing home.

Terry discusses the difficulties of caring for his late wife Pat as she declined from Alzheimer’s. After years of mourning her, Terry feels blessed to have found love again with his new wife, Suzanne. Together, the two dedicate much of their time caring for other patients living with the disease.

The three other documentaries in THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT are: “The Memory Loss Tapes,” providing an up-close and personal look at seven individuals living with Alzheimer’s, each in an advancing state of dementia ranging across the full spectrum of the disease; “ ‘Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?’ with Maria Shriver,” capturing what it means to be a child or grandchild of one who has Alzheimer’s; and the two-part “Momentum in Science,” exploring the latest research advances.

While there is no cure for the disease, THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT shows there is now genuine reason to be optimistic about the future. Seeking to bring a new understanding of the disease, it features a four-part documentary series, 15 short supplemental films, a robust website and a nationwide community-based information and outreach campaign. A book by Public Affairs Books was developed by the producers as a companion to the project. HBO will use all of its platforms, including the HBO main service, multiplex channels, HBO On Demand, HBO Podcasts, hbo.com, HBO Channel on YouTube and DVD sales, to support the project. In addition, all films will stream free of charge on hbo.com and will be offered for free on multiple platforms by participating television service providers.

THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT is presented by HBO Documentary Films and the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health in association with the Alzheimer’s Association®, Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund and Geoffrey Beene Gives Back® Alzheimer’s Initiative. The series producer is John Hoffman; the executive producers are Sheila Nevins and Maria Shriver.

For more information on THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT and Alzheimer’s disease, go to HBO.com/alzheimers.