Lexie Fields and Kitty Norton, the creators of the film “Wine, Women, and Dementia,” opened up about their personal journey as caregivers for their mother, diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2010 during a recent interview with the Tillamook County Pioneer in our ongoing podcast series. Their film, born from their blog “The Other Girl,” is a raw and honest portrayal of their experiences, the trials they faced, and the resilience they discovered in the realm of end-of-life care.
Another screening of the documentary is planned for September 9th at the Tillamook County Library and a huge roll out for National Caregivers Month in November – WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION! Follow “Wine, women & Dementia – the documentary” on Facebook, or go to www.winewomenanddementia.com
When their mother’s diagnosis was handed down, they were left with a few pamphlets and a sense of helplessness. Their father shouldered the role of primary caregiver for the first six years, but his death in 2016 thrust the sisters into the role of full-time caregivers. They found themselves navigating a labyrinth of information, learning about Medicaid and Medicare on the fly to ensure their mother’s needs were met.
As they stepped into their new roles, they noticed a shift in the dementia space. More caregivers were stepping into the light, sharing their stories on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This trend, driven by both baby boomers and millennials, seemed to be reshaping the narrative around dementia, bringing it out of the shadows and into everyday conversation.
The shared experience of losing a loved one slowly to the aging mind is one that unites most humans in their lifetime, but it’s a strangely lonely and isolating experience. Lexi and Kitty hope to change that. They believe that by sharing personal experiences, caregivers can find common ground, breaking the silence and isolation that often accompanies dementia care. They hope to foster a sense of community among caregivers, making the journey less lonely and more understood.
But Lexie and Kitty aren’t stopping at sharing their story. They have big plans for their film. They intend to take “Wine, Women, and Dementia” on the festival circuit, hold public screenings, and participate in more festivals, particularly in November, which is National Family Caregiver Month.
Their journey, captured in the film “Wine, Women, and Dementia,” is a testament to their resilience and a call to action. It’s a reminder of the challenges faced by caregivers, the need for resources, and the importance of open discussions about dementia. But more than that, it’s a celebration of caregivers, a tribute to their strength, and a promise to bring fun back into caregiving.
The TCP will dive deep into this subject in the future, if you have stories you’d like to share please reach out to editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net.
Watch or listen to the full interview here: