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Neuro Note 5: Still Alice

I chose to watch Still Alice for my last neuro note because Alzheimer's was the last topic we discussed in class. I have found it interesting and helpful for my learning during the course of class to watch, read, or listen to something that relates back to the most recent subject we have discussed.

For much of my life, when I have heard the term Alzheimer's, my immediate thought is of an older person losing their memory.  I associate this with Alzheimer's because that was the experience I had with my grandmother and similar stories that have been shared with me. The film Still Alice gives a different perspective of the disease.

Alice is a professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at a younger age than the typical diagnostic age. She learns that the type she has is familial Alzheimer's which is a type we discussed in class, meaning that it is genetic and her children have a 50% chance of having the gene.

The film gives an interesting view of Alzheimer's as it helps you be able to, or at least try to, put yourself in Alice's shoes. I often think about the family who is dealing with a grandparent, parent, or husband/wife with Alzheimer's, but this film showed how hard it was for Alice.

She did things during the film that I believe an occupational therapists would teach a client to do. She kept everything in her phone as a reminder such as when to take medication and events with her family. She practiced writing three words down and trying to repeat them after completing an activity. She kept questions in her phone about her life as a memory technique.

I think the film is a great depiction of the disease and the progression of the disease.  I recommend the movie as it is a great way to for someone who knows little about Alzheimer's to learn more. Now, I want to read the book!  

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