By Marianne Sciucco, New York, USA
In a heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia, hosts Christy Byrne Yates and Marianne Sciucco welcomed back the formidable advocate, filmmaker, and podcast host Susie Singer Carter. Known for her poignant short film My Mom and the Girl —inspired by her experiences with her mother’s Alzheimer’s and starring the late beloved television actress Valerie Harper—Susie returned to share details of her latest project: a stirring docuseries, No Country for Old People, set to premiere on Amazon Prime August 1st.
Unveiling the Truth Behind the “Five-Star” Facade
The conversation digs down into the often unseen challenges families face when loved ones require long-term or memory care. Despite finding what she believed was a top-tier facility for her mother, Susie encountered heartbreaking realities: inadequate care, chemical restraints, and a systemic unwillingness to change.
As Susie recounted, “Most documentaries are labors of love. They don’t, they’re not money makers… If you’re going to choose to do a documentary, it’s because you really care.” Her commitment shows not only in her work but in her partnership with retired federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle (Dopesick), who spent decades investigating and prosecuting elder care fraud and neglect. Their collaboration—and the nearly 100 interviews with families, doctors, and whistleblowers—revealed this crisis is widespread, persistent, and demands urgent reform.
From Grief to Activism: The Birth of ROAR
Processing her own trauma, Susie found motivation in community and collective action. Inspired by the lack of real change through traditional advocacy, she and her partners founded ROAR—Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, and Reform for long-term care. “Any hard issue in our society has been overcome by the collective… That’s our power,” Susie urges. She invites everyone to join the movement, harnessing the “power of love” to demand oversight and expose the veiled corporate interests prioritizing profits over people.
Stories Worth Watching—and Sharing
Susie’s work doesn’t just document systemic problems—it celebrates the human spirit. If you haven’t seen My Mom and the Girl, be sure to watch for a heartfelt glimpse into living and loving amid Alzheimer’s, featuring music, laughter, and a cast of real, complicated characters. “It really celebrates these three disparate women who have this moment that’s so powerful and so full of love and funny and, and important… it throws the stigma right out the window for all three of them.”
What Can We Do? Don’t Wait for Crisis
A recurring theme in this episode: the power of being informed, proactive, and involved. The hosts and Susie remind listeners that “in crisis you can’t make good decisions,” and that honest conversations—like those found on both the AlzAuthors and Love Conquers ALZ podcasts—are essential to preparing for the realities of aging, caregiving, and navigating the complex elder care system.
How to Get Involved
No Country for Old People premieres August 1 on Amazon Prime and will be featured in the AlzAuthors Fall Film Festival 2025 — sign up for our newsletter for details as they come out.
Join the movement at nocountryforoldpeople.com and learn about ROAR. Use your voice—you never know whose story you might be helping to change.
As Susie says, “Love is an amazing power. It’s super strong. It’s moved mountains.”
Mentioned Resources
- No Country for Old People docuseries: NoCountryForOldPeople.com
- Learn about ROAR and get involved: Via the website above
- AlzAuthors Film Festival Info & Newsletter Signup: AlzAuthors.com
- Susie’s other works:
- My Mom and the Girl
- Love Conquers ALZ and wherever you listen to podcasts
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
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Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
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