What is the point of living, if you can’t enjoy the state of being alive?
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This is the question being asked by professor Joseph Ibrahim in his latest short film Dignity of Risk.
The film explores the balance between offering choice to people living with dementia and over protecting them.
As part of Dementia Awareness Month in September, Launceston’s Village Cinemas will hold a preview screening Dignity of Risk on Thursday, September 20.
The head of Monash University’s Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, professor Ibrahim said establishing an emotional connection with people was key in helping them to better understand the neurological condition.
“For older people, a lot of freedoms are taken away from them,” he said.
“Often what we think of as trivial activities, suddenly become very important.
“For an older person who has trouble walking, getting from their room to the front of the garden, it can be the same as one of us doing the overland track.”
Dementia is the second leading cause of Australian deaths, contributing to 5.4 per cent of all deaths in males and 10.6 per cent of all deaths in females each year.
Professor Ibrahim has produced, co-written and narrated three short films about ethical issues relating to dementia patients.
Dignity of Work depicts an encounter between professor Ibrahim and a newly diagnosed dementia patient and won the nest narrative film category at the 2017 Global Impact Film Festival.
Professor Ibrahim said the film was about breaking down the assumptions people often associated with dementia patients.
“I want people to be less scared of dementia,” he said.
“You don’t wish a disease up anyone, but what leads an older person to not leading a fulfilling life, is often over protection.
“Life is about making choices, and some choices mean you might get hurt.
“When people use the term dementia, they often think about the brain switching off – like an on-off switch.
“The reality is people with mild dementia are still functioning.”
Tickets for Thursday’s screening of Dignity of Risk at 6.30pm are available here.
After the screening, professor Ibrahim will also host an informal lecture discussing the film.