Chris Hemsworth Documents Father’s Dementia Battle in New National Geographic Documentary
LOS ANGELES – Actor Chris Hemsworth is opening up about his family’s personal struggle with Alzheimer’s disease in a forthcoming National Geographic documentary, revealing a deeply emotional journey alongside his father, Craig Hemsworth, as they revisit cherished memories in an effort to combat the disease’s progression. The film, directed by Tom Barbor-Might, explores the potential of reminiscence therapy and the power of familial connection in the face of cognitive decline.
Alzheimer’s disease currently affects over 6.7 million Americans, a number projected to rise dramatically as the population ages. While there is no cure, emerging research suggests lifestyle interventions - notably strong social connections and engagement with past experiences – can significantly slow the disease’s advance and improve quality of life. hemsworth’s documentary aims to shed light on these findings and offer a poignant look at one family’s proactive approach to a devastating diagnosis.
The documentary centers around a road trip designed to stimulate Craig Hemsworth’s memory thru revisiting notable locations from his past. Hemsworth partnered with clinical psychologist Suraj Samtani,from the New South Wales Center for Healthy Brain Aging,who specializes in dementia. Samtani’s research indicates that maintaining regular social interactions can reduce dementia risk by as much as 50%, and continued connection can slow cognitive decline even after diagnosis.
A key element of the film involved meticulously recreating the Hemsworth family home from the 1990s. ”The therapeutic practice of reminiscence therapy gave the film not only its intellectual and emotional underpinning, it gave it its structure,” explained barbor-Might. The current homeowners generously allowed the film crew to revert the house to its original state for a month, relocating temporarily to a hotel to facilitate the immersive experience.
