December 15, 2006

Coming together for Alzheimer's

The MGH hosted the premiere of the award-winning film "Family Matters: Coming Together for Alzheimer's" during a special program Nov. 16. The film introduces newly diagnosed patients and their families to the world of Alzheimer's disease by highlighting four families who share their experiences with the illness. Barbara Moscowitz, LICSW, of the MGH Geriatric Medicine Unit, is the executive producer.

The evening included guest speakers Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Boston Globe, and Kasey Kaufman, Emmy Award-winning reporter for CBS4 News. Kaufman began the discussion by describing her own journey caring for her aging mother, who can no longer live independently. The dialogue continued as Goodman discussed the demographics of today's aging population, and raised issues such as the fear, denial and confusion families often experience when they become caregivers for older family members.

Many attendees were grateful for the opportunity to learn about other families coping with the challenges of caring for an aged relative. "As the youngest daughter of my 96-year-old mother, I was thrilled to attend the film screening and presentation," says Maureen McCarthy, practice manager at the MGH West End Clinic. "It was a great affirmation for me to hear about others dealing with similar issues. While my mom still lives at home, she does have some dementia, and we are taking each day as it comes. This film truly is a wonderful resource."

For more information about the film, visit www2.massgeneral.org/familymatters.