One of the most popular un-filmed screenplays of 2015 was a comedy about former president, Ronald Reagan, and his life with Alzheimer’s disease. Billed as a “hilarious political satire”, the screenplay featured an intern tasked with convincing Reagan, originally to be played by Will Ferrell, that he is an actor playing the president in a movie.
As one might imagine, the Reagan family and the Alzheimer’s Association were outraged. Ferrell wisely backed out. But this whole scenario begs the question: why did Hollywood execs and numerous others think a comedy about Alzheimer’s disease was appropriate?
After studying ageism for a number of years, this is my conclusion: it’s okay to make fun of Alzheimer’s disease because Alzheimer’s is an aging-related disease. Our society devalues older adults. And because we devalue them, we devalue those living with dementia. We joke about them. We marginalize them. And we segregate them from society.
For a moment, let’s imagine a very different scenario. One in which the millions of people living with Alzheimer’ disease and other types of dementia, weren’t old folks… but were kids.
What would be different?
Would we make jokes and comedies about these kids? Would we segregate them from their peers? And keep them in “locked units”?
Or, would we find ways to value and honor these children and keep them connected with people, and society?
I suspect we would see inclusive schools and playgrounds where kids living with dementia would be playing with their friends. Where their peers would be educated about dementia and would learn how to be a kind and supportive friend. And if there was even a whisper about a movie that would denigrate these kids or a mention of plans to segregate them, there would be boycotts and rallies and outraged celebrities fighting for change.
Alas, our current situation doesn’t generate this kind of passion or interest from the general public. Ageist beliefs are far too ingrained and accepted in our society. Folks like Dr. Al Power (author of Dementia Beyond Drugs and Dementia Beyond Disease) are challenging us to rethink segregation and secured neighborhoods but the topic is still far from the mainstream.
It’s time that we start asking seemingly strange questions like, “what if kids got dementia”? It’s by looking inside ourselves and asking these tough questions that we will begin to make a dent in the fight against ageism and uncover the hidden bias and prejudice that guide so many of our decisions.
Photo Credit: Gustavo Devito
Godwin says
April 9, 2017 at 10:37 pmHello, I am an AGNG 200 student at the Erickson School of Aging.
I agree with this post on many levels. In my course, we learned about ageism and age grading. Stereotypes toward the elderly are very harsh, while we tend to treat babies as the most important thing since they are the next generation. In a matter of speaking, infants do have Dementia in that their brain is not developed, so memory and controlling their body with their brain haven’t been mastered yet. However, as a society this is considered normal, while an older person who has the same problems is regressing or has an illness. As an elderly person ages and becomes unable to care for themselves, their children think about moving them to nursing homes because they are usually busy with their own lives and don’t have time to care for every problem their parents have. However, when a child is born, parents will take months off or even quit their jobs to raise their family. This shows a huge gap in the treatment of the elderly vs newborn infants.
Susan Macaulay says
April 9, 2017 at 11:00 pmGood observations.
Jack van Dijk says
April 10, 2017 at 11:27 amThis society degrades African-Americans, women, Latinos, women. Grow up Americans.
Rachel Abate says
February 28, 2017 at 10:52 pmI disagree. Kids having Alzheimers would be a tragic waste of life. I don’t like how people make fun of people with Alzheimers because they have a physical illness that manifests itself with psychological symptoms. I wish this cruel acceptance of bad behavior would change.
Susan Macaulay says
February 27, 2017 at 9:31 pmyes exactly and I suggested a similar analogy in this post, which is and interpretation of my own personal experience with my mother who lived with dementia in long-term care:
http://myalzheimersstory.com/2016/02/02/what-if-we-treated-babies-like-this/
sad 🙁
Alexandra Hart says
February 22, 2017 at 11:58 amVery well put for highlighting the problem. In real life, it’s often those closest to the person experiencing memory problems who can be the most unkind. That person is likely to be feeling frightened for what it means to them and how much more difficult their life will be IF or WHEN their loved one becomes unable to fill the roles they have held heretofore. Ageism and internalized ageism are difficult to root out. Frustration and fear complicate it, but exercising compassion for oneself and others is a good thing to cultivate. And pointing out ageism to others to help make it more visible may help, too.
helen Hudson says
February 21, 2017 at 9:26 pmKids, indeed. Article makes an interesting point as to how we value the young more than the old–when it should be the reverse.
David Nelson says
February 21, 2017 at 8:25 pmGreat way to reveal our Age Biased culture. Love the question, What IF kids got dementia? Wow, thank you for asking the tough question here. We need to start thinking Outside the Box and have a real discussion about Ageism
Jeff Borghoff says
February 21, 2017 at 6:32 pmThank you! This needed to be said.
Patricia G Barnes says
February 21, 2017 at 5:40 pmVery perceptive. Enough with the question though – we need action.
Cornelis van Dijk says
February 21, 2017 at 4:55 pmThis an interesting item, because Reagan had dementia going in his second term. Listen to his inaugural speech. This is a nation that let its “leader” rule incapacitated.
This is wrong on many levels.