Away From Her Summary

Summary Sarah Polley’s Away from Her (2006) tells the story about a couple that has been married for over 40 years, Grant and Fiona. Both retired, they live in a cottage in Ontario. Both enjoy cross country skiing. It is focused around how this couple handles the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. (Polley, 2006)

Grant observes Fiona putting away dishes and she puts a frying pan in the freezer, shortly after that the couple sees a medical professional. At this time, the doctor gives the diagnosis of early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Fiona talks with Grant about choosing a long-term care facility for her to live in. Grant wants nothing to do with Fiona going somewhere else to live. He tries to talk to Fiona, stressing that he can take care

During this time, Grant is informed that the first 30 days he is not allowed to see Fiona. It is explained to him that this step helps the resident to adjust easier by cuting off contact from all family. Grant is upset with that, but Fiona reassures him that one month isn’t long. (Polley, 2006)

Grant drives Fiona to the long-term care facility, along the way Fiona is remembering things from when the couple was younger. Grants gets Fiona all set and leaves. 30 days pass, Grant returns to the long-term care facility. He learns that Fiona has forgotten him and has transferred her feelings to another man. This man is Aubrey, a wheelchair bound mute resident. Grant is upset about this but continues to go see Fiona each day. (Polley, 2006)

Aubrey’s wife Marian later decides to move Aubrey back home with her. This completely upsets Fiona. She is progressing rapidly with depression since Aubrey has left. Grant finds out where Aubrey and Marian live and goes to visit her. Grant sacrificing his own happiness, ask for Aubrey to visit Fiona. At first Marian is against this. Grant and Marian spark up a friendship with each other. Helping each other understand that their happiness must go on also. Marian decides to move Aubrey back to the long-term care facility with Fiona. (Polley,

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurocognitive disorder characterized by symptoms identified as mild or major neurocognitive disorder (Townsend, 2016, p. 253). One symptom that Fiona displays is forgetfulness. She cannot remember where the frying pan goes, Grant must put it in the right cabinet for her. Another symptom is Fiona wandering. She wanders out of the house and does not remember where is going. Grant must drive around and find her. Finally, Fiona gets confused on different events in her life. She asked Grant when they moved in the house, “Was it last Christmas or the Christmas before last?” Grant informs her it was 20 years ago when they moved in. This statement really confuses