“The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer’s Together” by Barbara Klutinis

“The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer’s Together” is a 2014 documentary directed by Barbara Klutinis. It tells the stories of three couples and their journeys navigating the tough road of Alzheimer’s disease.

The film focuses on the nuances of the disease through both personal and medical professional lenses. Interviews with neurological experts are intertwined with the experiences of the three couples. Each couple is composed of one partner living with Alzheimer’s and the other acting as primary caregiver.

Each couple’s experience with the disease is different; so goes the nature of Alzheimer’s disease. We learn at different points throughout the film that the ways Alzheimer’s affects its victims varies from person to person.

Some people have difficulty with language skills. Communication becomes hard, and the struggle to find the right words can become burdensome. Other people with Alzheimer’s may lose their visual/spatial abilities. This may cause them to get lost while walking in their neighborhood or generally lose their sense of direction. Still others may suffer primarily from analytical issues, losing their ability to analyze and solve problems.

Much of “The Sum Total of Our Memory” focuses on the relationships of the three couples and how the intrusion of Alzheimer’s has affected their lives and the changing roles within the relationship. This is most noticeable when the couples are talking with the interviewers together, as opposed to when just the caregiver is speaking with the interviewer.

For instance, one couple is Janet and Joel Panzer. Janet has Alzheimer’s and Joel is her primary caregiver. At the time the film was produced, her worst symptom was memory loss, particularly the ability to form new memories. She is aware of her Alzheimer’s and acknowledges the memory problems.

Nevertheless, she is very enthusiastic, and if she wasn’t a subject of the movie you might not even suspect that she has dementia. When asked how she feels about the Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she says that she used to have depression and anxiety, but not anymore. She even claims that she’s had a wonderful time since her diagnosis.

But you can tell that Joel, her husband, does not feel the say way. While she is jovially talking about how she is enjoying herself, Joel is seated slightly behind her and wiping away tears from his eyes. It’s quite moving to see the contrasts in their moods.

Social Stigma

One of the more important parts of “The Sum Total of Our Memory,” is when the patients, caregivers and doctors talk about the social stigma surrounding dementia.

Kathy Van Fleet, one of the Alzheimer’s patients, makes an important point.

Janet and Joel Panzer, one of the couples featured in “The Sum of Our Memory.”
Credit: cincinnatifilmfestival.com

“When I was first diagnosed, I felt that a lot of my friends disappeared,” she says. “They felt that because I had this disease that I am not able to do things anymore…We need our friends and our family more than ever now. Going on walks, just sitting around remembering old things, telling lies and jokes to each other.”

People with dementia are oftentimes overlooked by friends and family, perhaps because the loved ones just don’t know how to act. Perhaps they don’t want to see their loved one that way. Still, it’s vital for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia to have social contact.

“I think there is a big stigma if someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” says Christine Paterson, wife and primary caregiver of Bob, who has Alzheimer’s. “I think you get overlooked, people don’t really value what you have to say; they don’t know how to act.”

“The Sum Total of Our Memory” makes the case that we should not shy away from our loved ones who have dementia. Rather, we should do our best to include them in our lives as much as possible. People with dementia certainly will have memory issues, but that doesn’t mean they necessarily forget who their loved ones are.  

“The Sum Total of Our Memory” is a great film for anyone interested in Alzheimer’s disease and the impact it has on both the patient and their loved ones. I highly recommend it.