The Monrovia Providers Group is passionate about its senior citizens. Far too many of them have been taken advantage of. Why would people do this to them? How could their conscience allow such a tragedy? Perhaps it is because of ignorance. Sometimes it takes a story to help one see the world from their point of view. Here are some movies about aging that are worth watching:

Iris

Synopsis taken from www.imdb.com

Iris, based on the life of revered British writer and philosopher Iris Murdoch, is a story of unlikely yet enduring love. As a young academic, teaching philosophy at Oxford, Murdoch (Kate Winslet/Judi Dench) meets and eventually falls in love with fellow professor John Bayley (Hugh Bonneville/Jim Broadbent), a man whose awkwardness seems in stark opposition to the spirited self-confidence of his future wife. The story unfolds as snippets of time, seen through Bayley's eyes. He recalls their first encounter over 40 years ago, activities they enjoyed doing together, and Iris' charismatic and individualistic personality. These images portray Murdoch as a vibrant young woman with great intellect and are contrasted with the novelist's later life, after the effects of Alzheimer's disease have ravaged her. Murdoch's great mind deteriorates until she is reduced to a mere vestige of her former self, unable to perform simple tasks and completely reliant on her at times frustrated yet devoted husband. Written by kem

A moving and tender depiction of the novelist Iris Murdoch's descent into Alzheimer's Disease, covering the period from just before her marriage to intellectual John Bayley until her death. The film is based on the two books by John Bayley (Iris, Iris & The Friends). Written by Louise Dodds-Ely

Away From Her

Synopsis taken from www.imdb.com

Fiona and Grant are an Ontario couple who have been married for over 40 years. Now, in the oncoming twilight of their years, they are forced to face the fact that Fiona's "forgetfulness" actually is Alzheimer's Disease. After Fiona wanders away and is found after being lost, they agree she must go into a nursing home. For the first time in the five decades their relationship has spanned, they are forced to undergo a long-time separation since the nursing home has a "no-visitors" policy for the first 30 days of a patient's stay, so they can adjust to their new surroundings. When Grant visits Fiona after the orientation period, he is devastated to find out that not only has she seemingly forgotten him, Fiona has transferred her affections to another man. The other man is Aubrey, a wheelchair bound mute patient at the nursing home. As the distance between husband and wife grows, Grant must draw upon his love for Fiona to perform an act of self-sacrifice in order to ensure her happiness. Written by Jon C. Hopwood

The Notebook

Synopsis taken from www.imdb.com

The movie starts in a nursing home with Duke reading to an older woman, whose memory is slipping from her more and more everyday. Duke reads the story of two lovers who meet in the south at a carnival. Allie was 17. A city girl from money, and Noah was a country boy. The two spend the whole summer together but Allie is forced to move and go to college although she was willing to give it up for Noah. Noah writes Allie 365 letters and she never gets them. So he restores the house him and ALlie went to one night out of 'labor of love'. Seven years pass and Allie meets and falls in love with a wealthy soldier Lon. When seeing Noah's picture in the paper, Allie is drawn back to him. They spent a few days together and she doesn't want to leave. Allie has to chose between her fiancé and Noah. Written by Stephanie

If you have any other movies that will help others understand the life of our seniors please send them to: support@monroviaproviders.org