Eiby, May Bjerre

At Dagmarsminde, nurse May Bjerre Eiby refuses to conform to conventional nursing home practices that tranquilize and disregard dementia patients. For 11 residents, their healthcare regimen includes hugs, laughter, animal visits, eye contact, and lots of champagne and cake. It Is Not Over Yet looks at a radically different way to treat dementia patients, shifting from medicine to care.

The director's mother is 90 years old—and is beginning to forget herself. Not only herself, but everything else as well. She has dementia. Only her faith and her tireless knitting of exclusively blue socks keep her alive. The director, whose relationship with his mother has been very tense throughout his life, approaches the dissolution of his mother's ego in this experimental and essayistic film with the support of Didier Eribon, Simone de Beauvoir, Norbert Elias, Jean Améry, and others. In addition to this very personal story, he also tells a universal story about the process of aging, about repression, but also about rebellion in dealing with and interacting with aging people.

Australian artist Leon Pericles faces his greatest challenge: holding an exhibition of his life's works while facing the mental decline of his wife and collaborator Moira, as Alzheimer's disease turns their world upside down.

There are 1.8 million people living with dementia in Germany. Unless there is a breakthrough in treatment, this number will rise to 2.8 million by 2050. How can these patients be cared for with dignity? One thing is certain: the problems in care—whether inpatient or outpatient—are growing. The shortcomings of the care system in German-speaking countries have been known for decades and will continue to worsen as a result of demographic change, because our society is getting older and older. The article "The problem of dementia – new approaches to care" shows examples of humane treatment of people in need of care and presents forward-looking models. Based on the personal experiences of those affected and the conceptual differences between alternative care providers, we would like to highlight possible solutions and provide new impetus for the long-overdue reform of elderly care.

Agnes was diagnosed with dementia in her fifties. Five years have passed and she is still struggling with her new identity, and the loss of who she once was. She decides to pay a visit to Nancy, who eight years ago was also diagnosed with dementia in her fifties. We follow Agnes in her quest for renewal and along the way our notions of what it means to have dementia are challenged and given a fresh perspective. A film about friendship and living with dementia.

Unconditional: A Journey of Selfless Love explores the love, care, and sacrifices family caregivers give to their loved ones and the many loving choices they have to make. Learn what it means to be committed and loyal to someone no matter the circumstances as highlighted through four caregivers and their journeys.

Seven strangers are interviewed to talk about the relationship they have with their mother.

An audiovisual representation of the degenerative dementia process based on real reports from people affected with this condition.

The year’s most spectacular Documentary short films.