When the fog of confusion and forgetting settles over memories of experiences and people, coping with everyday life becomes a continuous challenge, then it becomes equally difficult for those affected and relatives. The dementia project group of the health region plus in the district of Ebersberg will show on November 29th as part of a free live stream from the old cinema in Ebersberg that they are not alone and how they can get support. Its director, Elfi Melbert, speaks about the film “Common Paths” and the content of the evening.
SZ: Ms. Melbert, the film by the award-winning director Alex Schaad based on a script by the ex-guitarist of Clay, stones, shards, Marius del Mestre, was shot in the district of Ebersberg – how did it come about?
Elfi Melbert heads the care center in the district office.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Elfi Melbert: It all started when the Justice Department offered us funding for a project of our choice. That fit, because we had wanted to make a training film for volunteers and relatives for a long time. When looking for a suitable expert, Valentin Winhart was recommended to me in the circle of friends. He in turn carried out a brainstorming session with the supervisors, developed a suitable idea, developed a script … and then spoke to Alex Schaad, who was immediately interested in the topic.
A “training film” is usually what you think of as something else. Well-known actors such as Astrid Polak, Bernd Graawert and Sven Hussock act in a real feature film in your gripping half-hour …
The director took care of the wonderful actors. Thanks to them, we have achieved our goal of touching and at the same time making dust-dry legal issues such as data protection or declaration of consent in the event of illness understandable. Every minute of film there is a whole load of information. The length, in turn, should be such that you can watch it in between or on the S-Bahn – relatives of dementia patients sometimes only have small time windows.
The film is about a supervisor at the beginning of his voluntary work and his supervisors. How realistic are the situations shown, up to and including near disaster?
This is all drawn very softly against what we experience in reality. Often we find people in a much more desolate condition.
How many people with dementia are there?
The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety says in the “Bavarian Health Report” of 2019 there are around 1.7 million people with dementia over 65 years of age in Germany, and around 240,000 in Bavaria. This number could rise to around 340,000 by 2036 if the risk of the disease remains the same. Two thirds of them are women.
What is the care situation like?
Most are cared for at home. With no exact numbers, an estimated two-thirds to one-third. According to the GEDA study, there are around 750,000 caring relatives in Bavaria. More than 70 percent of them are female, says the Bavarian Dementia Survey.
The film is undoubtedly interesting for them. For who else?
Because dementia is a demographic problem, it affects society as a whole, not just relatives. In our project group we repeatedly address the fact that municipalities have to become more dementia-friendly. Especially at the beginning, when people start to withdraw because the world is getting too complicated for them. More than 40 percent of people over 60 with slight cognitive impairments are completely overwhelmed in the hospital alone. Already with finding your way around locally.
The film is followed by a panel discussion – who is sitting there?
Julia Hartmann, she is a specialist in neurology, geriatrics and palliative medicine with a practice in Zorneding. And I as the head of the care center in the district office, which has the task of taking care of legal representation, publicizing contact points and providing information, for example about preventive care or living wills. We both belong to the dementia project group, which only consists of professionals who work together on the topic.
A relative will also take part in the discussion …
We want to show: How does it feel when you have a sick person at home? How intense is that? We should also talk about it more because the subject is often very embarrassing.
What is it that moves the carers the most?
Quite often: How do I discuss with my family member that something is going wrong? What do I do if he becomes psychotic or aggressive as the dementia progresses? What can I trust him to do, what is no longer possible? What is dangerous, what do I have to endure?
This also applies to society: does anyone have the right not to wash? What to do if someone becomes unfriendly to the neighbors?
Why did you want a livestream from the start?
Apart from the development of the incidences, another important aspect for us was that someone might not be able to get away so well in the evening. Especially since we noticed overall that online offers are well perceived by relatives because it is easier to connect to a lecture in the evening using a computer or mobile phone. With Corona we really made a leap forward and reached more people.
What are you hoping for from the evening?
Pay more attention to the subject. And that people might get in touch afterwards who say they could imagine volunteer support.
Date: Monday, November 29th, 7 pm film “Common Paths” with panel discussion. Guests: Julia Hartmann, specialist in neurology, geriatrics and palliative medicine with a practice in Zorneding, Elfi Melbert, head of the care center in the district office, and a family carer. Moderation: SZ journalist Johanna Feckl. Access link: https://vimeo.com/643585907/983dc8dc32