Local Woman Advised Julianne Moore On Life With Alzheimer's

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Oscar nominations out Thursday morning honored, in a way, a Minnesota woman and her clash with a cruel disease.

Julianne Moore snagged a nomination for her role in "Still Alice," a movie about a woman diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's.

Sandy Oltz, from Sartell, acted as an adviser to Moore.

She told WCCO how the script hits close to home, documenting a struggle that, for Oltz, came too soon.

The same family meeting, shown in the film's trailer, first happened far from a movie set when Oltz, then 46, told her own two teenage boys.

"I forgot to pick them up from football, basketball, baseball," Oltz said.

This past year, at the age of 50, Oltz made one of the most important connections of her life.

"They were looking for somebody kind of age specific; 'they' being the producers of 'Still Alice,'" she said.

Moore relied on Sandy to help her through her leading role in the movie.

"We got along so well," Oltz said. "We just clicked."

The two would text and Skype several times a week. Producers even flew Oltz out twice to be on set.

It's where she saw for herself how closely Moore had listened.

"Her final speech in the movie is mostly my speech that I'd given," Oltz said. "I told her I use a highlighter when I give a speech, because I forget where I am."

But the most important moment is after people watch.  Raising awareness about a disease that, for too long, hasn't been discussed.

Katrice Sisson is the community engagement manager of the Alzheimer's Association.

"They only have so long to be a voice, and it's so important for us to continue to be a voice for them," Sisson said.

Sandy Oltz knows it's her time to speak as time takes more away.

"I don't cook. I may have said that already," Oltz said. "We are not suffering, we're struggling--struggling to get through the day, struggling to be connected to who I once was. But we're still here and can still contribute to society."

Doctors told Oltz she likely won't have any memory in a few years.

As soon as Oscar nominations were announced Thursday morning, Moore called Oltz.

She said it's both of them being recognized by the nomination.

Moore already won a Golden Globe for her performance. She's the favorite to win an Oscar, too.

That's why Oltz is keeping Feb. 22 open. Moore told her she months ago she'd be her date if she were nominated.

The Alzheimer's Association is holding a rally for lawmakers at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Heritage Center in St. Paul. They want the attention of lawmakers to push for an increase in research dollars.  The public is invited.

Still Alice
Alzheimer's Association Help Line: 1-800-272-3900

2015 Oscar Nominations
Click here to see a full list of the nominees.