Description
Based on a true story about DramaShare founder, John Alexander’s family who, like many around the world, lived with the reality of Alzheimer disease, as a grandmother moves into the house, and into the lives, of children and grandchildren. A miracle unfolds under Gods faithfulness as a special gift comes through this bittersweet situation. Suitable for Mothers Day, Christmas or as a human interest outreach drama.
The true details of this drama make it a very useful program to show the awful effects of this horrible disease which strips away dignity. This drama has been used by Alzheimer Societies around the world to promote understanding of this disease.
The basic storyline concerns a so-called “Sandwich Family”, a family where a caregiver (Judith, in actuality DramaShare co-founder Judy McDonald Alexander) looks after both her children and also an aging grandparent under one roof. Older children have returned home after school or trying life on their own, while old age has forced a grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, to all move into the family home by necessity. Since this Sandwich type family situation is becoming more common, any audience will associate with the dynamics of the situation.
The story is only slightly fictional, with the portion regarding “the gift” which allowed Jude to see her Mom one last time as the “old Mom,” is true and actually, wonderfully, amazingly and thankfully, did, in fact, happen, making possible the belief that our last sight of a loved one is the one that remains with us.
Cast: 11
- Father – Frank Pearson
- Mother – Judith Pearson
- Grandmother Mack
- Older daughter – Helen Pearson
- 2nd Oldest daughter – Rachael Pearson
- Younger daughter – Patti
- Son – Peter Pearson
- Peter’s friend – Billy
- Judith’s friends –
- Liz
- Florence
- Beth
- (2nd oldest daughter & all the friends were added to script to represent those who were in our life on this journey).
Bible Reference: Acts 20:24
Set:
- Act I, (living room furnished appropriately) an adult daughter moves home after job layoff. Another older daughter moves home after college education, and no job. A son is an important part of this unfolding drama. Parents and children try to cope with this new reality at a bad time for all, a decline in a grandmother’s physical and mental health forces “Grandma Mack” to move in with them. This essentially close, loving, caring family, suffer as a “Sandwich family” causes inconvenience, division, resentment and strife. Children discuss with their friends the new reality of a grandmother who does not remember them and who is resentful and jealous. Husband and wife attempt a happy marriage and family life but are pushed and pulled by needs and priorities of children and a demanding mother.
- Act II, (hospital room), has a bed with protective railing as focus, 2 chairs plus oxygen, I.V., and other in-room facilities as normal in hospital room. Family visit visit Grandma Mack on evening before her birthday. Entering family watch from corridor as Grandma Mack sleeps. They talk of the operation that had a leg removed, thankful her dementia will spare reality, reminisce her life prior to Alzheimer Disease.
- Act III, (living room), Dad answers phone, Grandma has slipped away in sleep.
Lighting: spots to zero in in Acts II & III
Sound: wireless mics
Song: Abide With Me, written 1820 by Henry Francis Lyte available here and elsewhere on the net.
SFX: none
Costumes: All are in normal leisure clothing except Act II where Grandma is in hospital gown, family dressed for church
Props: standard living room / hospital items
Special Instructions: Visit local hospital to assure reality. Bed could be rented from hospital services.
Time: 110
Sample of script:
lights up, Peter absentmindedly looking through a magazine, sets it down, stretches, looks around, stands, walks to bookshelf, casually looks through books, sighs, returns to seat on couch.
Judith enters room.
Judith: Hi Peter, what are you doing all alone? I thought that Dan was coming over to study with you?
Peter: Dan phoned, said he was too busy. Busy? We all know why he doesn’t want to come back here! I doubt if Dan will ever come back here again, after what (emphasize) she did!
Judith: I’m really sorry about what happened, Grandma Mack didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of your friends. It’s just that she, well, she wasn’t herself, that’s all!
Peter: Wasn’t herself? I don’t even know who your mother is anymore! And why did she have to move in here anyway?
Judith: We have discussed this son. You know that your grandmother was not able to look after herself anymore. The accidents were getting more frequent, we were afraid she would hurt herself.
Peter: So we have to turn this house into an . . . an . . Alzheimer’s ward. Mom, there’s homes for people like that, why couldn’t we have her put in a home where she can . . . .
Judith: I have told you before, my mother shall not be imprisoned in any, any . . . home! I shall look after my mother, thank you very much young man! And I will thank you never again to speak in that tone when discussing your grandmother.
Frank enters room
Frank: What’s going on here? I could hear the screaming all the way across the street!
Judith: This young man is being impertinent that’s what’s going on! Never in my life did I ever consider speaking about my elders in that tone!
Frank: Peter! To your elders, doesn’t sound like you!
Peter: I just asked why Grandma Mack had to move in here with us. I just said . .
Judith: He just suggested that his grandmother be institutionalized, that’s what!
Peter: Well, I mean, why shouldn’t she be where maybe they can help her. I mean I can’t even have a friend in without her coming in to my room and acting like a fool!
Judith: Frank, I refuse to deal with him. I am leaving and I expect you to deal with your son! I refuse to listen to this any longer!
Judith storms off stage.
Frank: Want to talk to me about it, son?
Peter: Talk? What’s the use of talking? Dad, you know that Grandma Mack has wrecked our family since she moved in here.
Frank: I realize it hasn’t been easy lately since our family expanded again!
Peter: Expanded? Ballooned is more like it! First my sister loses her job and moves back home, then another sister finishes college and moves back home until she finds a job, next my grandmother moves in, “for the good of her health.” And I can’t see where either Helen or Rachael are trying all that hard to find a job. And most of the time my grandmother doesn’t know who I am! And if I ever say anything to Mom she blows her top! And all you can say is it hasn’t been easy!
Frank: I know, it’s been hard on all of us, especially your Mom. She’s in the middle, she’s the meat in the sandwich!
Peter: Meat? What sandwich? Oh boy, as if we don’t have enough trouble, now your starting to sound like Grandma Mack!
Frank chuckles: Sorry son! I just mean your Mom and I have taken out membership in the sandwich generation. That’s when middle age people like us are providing care for children and also for their parents, all at the same time, and all under the same roof. It’s tough! Especially for your Mom.
Peter: You keep saying that, but there are homes set up to deal with people who have Alzheimer’s Disease. And we all know that’s what’s wrong with Grandma Mack, we just don’t seem to admit it, especially Mom.
Frank: Frankly, Peter, there is no sure way to know whether your grandmother has Alzheimer’s Disease or not. But there is no doubt that she is having memory problems, and she is showing many of the signs of aggressive behaviour that seem to go along with Alzheimer’s. But we have to realize how tough it is on your Mom. After all, even when that person is loud and crass and obnoxious, maybe especially when she is, remember that person is your mother’s own mother. And that’s what makes it so tough! You can accept bad behaviour from other people, maybe even laugh about it. But when it is your own parent, well, it brings out a lot of denial, and regret, and hurt, and tears.
Peter: I’m trying to understand, Dad, honest I am! But when Grandma Mack did that in my room in front of my friends yesterday, what am I supposed to do Dad?
Frank: I don’t know, son! Try to love her, I guess, and I know that’s not easy.
Grandma Mack comes into the room.
Grandma Mack: It’s hot in here! Doesn’t anybody think about turning down the thermostat once in a while? Kids, that’s who does it! Cheeky kids, don’t know what this world is coming to! (looks at Peter) Who are you?
Frank: Grandma Mack, you know Peter, your grandson.
Grandma Mack: Peter? Grandson? I have no grandson name of Peter! Who’s kid’s that? Mike and Gloria’s?
Frank: No Grandma Mack, Mike and Gloria don’t have children. Peter is my son, mine and Jude’s son.
Grandma Mack: Jude? Where on earth is Jude anyways? I wanted her to read to me. Can’t see to read, you keep this place so dark! (calls out) Judith! I need you here!
Frank: Jude is resting, please let’s let her sleep.
Grandma Mack: Sleeping? In the middle of the day? Well, I never! I worked my whole life, looking after Judith, running the store, never once did I need to sleep during the day!
Frank: Well Jude had a long night sitting up with you.
Grandma Mack: Sitting up, with me? I’ll have you know that I was alone all night. Called for somebody to bring me a cup of water, should’a known it, nobody came!
Peter: I’m going to my room!
Grandma Mack: What did he say?
Frank: Nothing, Grandma Mack, nothing.
Grandma Mack: There’s no respect from kids, just leave the room, never a thought of speaking to their elders! I am so fed up with the way I’m treated around here! Why, people treat there dogs better than I get treated. I’m packing up right now, I’m leaving!