Alzheimer’s films chronicle the scope of the disease

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‘The Alzheimer’s Project’ kicks off this Sunday on HBO with a series of documentaries about this devastating disease that affects so many people.

The first doc up is ‘The Memory Loss Tapes,’ chronicling Alzheimer’s from the perspective of seven people who have it. Each person is in a different stage of the disease, and the film recounts their struggles as they cope with becoming burdens on their families, plus losing their identity and their independence.

Other films in the series include ‘Momentum in Science’ (May 11 and 12), a two-part film that gives an inside look at Alzheimer’s research; ‘Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?’ (May 11), with Maria Shriver, a take on what children and grandchildren of those with Alzheimer’s go through; and ‘Caregivers,’ (May 12), which tells the story of those who selflessly help their loved ones. Shriver and Sheila Nevins were executive producers for the series, which was produced by John Hoffman.

If you don’t get HBO, not to worry -- a spokeswoman said the network will stream the films free on their website after they air. The site also features links to Alzheimer’s-related organizations, plus downloadable podcasts, other short films about Alzheimer’s and a link to a Facebook page where people can write tributes to family members and friends with the disease.

-Jeannine Stein