The Story:

The Nurse is a beautiful short story about an elderly couple living with dementia. This powerful fusion of “Still Alice” and “The Vow” follows an intimate and poignant narrative about a woman who is trying to care for her husband with dementia. The blend culminates in a heartfelt story of love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit.  In a raw emotional moment, the wife is asked to leave their home of twenty years when her husband, unable to recognize her, mistakes her for a stranger. She must now find a way to return and continue caring for the man she deeply loves. In an 'aha' moment, she alters her appearance and comes back as her husband’s live-in nurse. Over time, her husband feels safe with her and eventually realizes he is falling in love with her. Yes. She won his heart a second time. This story will raise awareness about the effects of dementia on relationships and how one can still find hope and resilience in such a difficult situation.

Writer, Joyce Kostakis, has a heartfelt connection to this project, as several friends and family have been diagnosed with dementia. Her and her team’s goal is to film the short and let a ray of light shine through the cloud of dementia. This project provides a platform for those living with dementia to be heard and understood, and to create a better understanding of dementia in society. The team also wants to bring attention to the importance of providing support and care to those living with dementia.