Backing Out of Time

Streaming video - 2014

A compassionate documentary film telling the stories of five diverse family caregivers over a three year time period who are navigating the labyrinthine and often heartbreaking terrain of caring for their aging and increasingly dependent parents who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD). ADRD is one of the most rapidly increasing health concerns of our rapidly growing population of older Americans. This website includes cross-cultural perspectives and forward-thinking leaders in the aging field and is designed to complement the story-driven film. The goal of the documentary and dedicated website is to produce resources that provide education, awareness, comfort, information and support for the family caregivers who di...rectly impact the lives of those with ADRD. Because one thing we do know: the cost-savings of keeping a parent at home for as long as possible are astronomical...BACKING OUT OF TIME balances the serious and heartfelt journeys of the individuals and their families with an upbeat, solutions-oriented, and positive perspective for the film. In each of the five stories, the adult children are trying to do the best for their parents, but stumble repeatedly as they navigate their way through understanding the illness itself, personal expectations, and systemic obstacles for which they were unprepared and lack enough support. This shock, frustration and exhaustion which these families face with such grace are felt by the viewers and can assure those who may be facing similar situations that they are not alone. The significant emotions facing these families no matter what or when the choices are made, is universal. Conflict within a family can be caused by the lack of understanding about the disease progression as it is happening, and before it has progressed when plans could have been made. Bottom line: Have your affairs in order and in writing well before ADRD takes over. more