May 7
Away From Her— Losing our selves—Dementia in real life
Program Description
In this pre-show presentation, Dr. Sangil Lee, an ER physician studying management of ER patients with dementia, Dr. Kanika Arora, Professor in the Public Health Program at the University of Iowa, who studies dementia among farmers in Iowa, and Dr. Mary McCall, Iowa City gerontologist and aging consultant and facilitator of caregiving support groups, will each share their views on their work and the importance of support and information for family members living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias using the film as a powerful representation.
Film Synopsis
A husband and wife cope with her institutionalization due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
After 45 years of marriage, ageing couple Fiona and Grant are struck with a devastating blow, the looming clouds of Alzheimer’s disease. In a heart-breaking decision, Fiona is moved into a residential facility. But there’s one more shock on the horizon as Fiona starts to transfer her affections to another man, Aubrey, who also is a patient at the nursing home.
A double-Oscar-nominated, beautifully subtle exploration of a devastating disease; Julie Christie (Doctor Zhivago, Darling) turns in a Golden Globe-winning performance in this honest, life-affirming story of relationships, love and devotion.
Photo credit: Lions Gate
About the Speaker
Sangil Lee is an Emergency Medicine Physician at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. His research interests include the study of dementia patients in the ER.
Kanika Arora is an associate professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Iowa. Her research focuses on gerontology with a special emphasis on informal caregiving, cannabis use among older adults, end-of-life outcomes, and Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. She has examined the effect of several policies and programs, including paid family leave, legalization of medical marijuana, managed care, and consolidation of state area agencies on aging, on older adult and caregiver outcomes. Her recent work examines dementia prevalence and trajectories of cognitive functioning among agricultural workers, outcomes among senior and disabled individuals under Medicaid managed care, and the effect of a dementia onset on change in risky behaviors (such as smoking and alcohol use) among older adults. She completed her Ph.D. in public administration from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
Mary McCall is a retired professor with a PhD in Human Development and Aging. For over 40 years, she has supported people and families with end-of-life care informally. She taught for many years while also conducting community-based research and service with students and colleagues. After retirement, she began volunteering at the Senior Center in Iowa City, facilitating groups on death, end-of-life, and caregiving. Her specialty is in family communication and values-based decision-making. She is also a certified Death Doula through the International End-of-Life Doula Association.