GALVESTON, Texas - The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston will present four free performances of a theater production depicting the true stories of caregivers in the Houston and Galveston area who have taken care of parents, children and spouses with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The two-act play, "The Long Journey Home: Caring for a Loved one with Dementia," will open Friday, June 5, at Levin Hall Auditorium, 11th and Market streets, in Galveston. Performances are also scheduled for June 6, 12 and 13. All performances begin at 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
The play is written by Oma Morey, UTMB assistant professor and senior medical educator, and directed by Galveston director Sandra Raftis. The dialogue is taken directly from interviews with 10 caregivers in the Houston and Galveston area and illustrates the challenges and struggles, as well as the love and intimacy, caregivers encounter as their loved ones progress through the stages of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The play also touches on the needs of the caregivers who do their best take care of someone they love.
Playwright Morey earned her undergraduate degree in drama and her doctorate in education and gerontology.
"I wanted to integrate my love for theater, education and aging in a way that would make a difference," Morey said. "I believe the play will touch anyone who has ever taken care of, known someone that's taken care of, or anticipates taking care of someone with dementia. My goal was to write a play that would both entertain and inform health-care students and professionals about the struggles these caregivers experience when they watch their love ones disappear in front of their eyes."
The production will be followed by a brief discussion. The Alzheimer's Association of Houston and Southeast Texas and Libbie's Place Adult Day Service of Galveston will provide information on dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
For more information, call 409-772-3235.