Sartell woman advised Julianne Moore on 'Still Alice'

If Julianne Moore wins an Academy Award next month one of the names you may hear in her acceptance speech is Sandy Oltz, a resident of Sartell, Minnesota.

Moore was nominated Thursday in the best actress category for playing a woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease in the movie "Still Alice."

Oltz helped her prepare for that role. Oltz was diagnosed four years ago with early onset Alzheimer's when she was 47 years old.

She became Moore's consultant during the film and was on the New York film set during its creation in March. Oltz describes Moore as caring and down to earth. The two still keep in touch.

Oltz tells the St. Cloud Times she and other Alzheimer's advocates hope the movie brings additional awareness and research dollars to the disease.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with her about the disease and assisting Moore.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.