Filmmaker Deirdre Fishel’s documentary offers insights into the world of home care for the elderly and the terminally ill. The film cites statistics showing that 90 percent of Americans want to age in their homes, but caring for older people as their health begins to fray requires significant investments of time, energy, and emotion. Three cases of at-home care are highlighted here: a 93-year-old woman with no next of kin who is cared for by an illegal immigrant from Costa Rica, a wheelchair-bound man in a rural town whose caregiver is the mother of five, and a married former CBS executive whose world has been destroyed by Parkinson’s disease. While the quality of care is not an issue--all three caregivers seen here come across as sincere, mature, and professional women--the related problems are considerable. Even though maintaining 24/7 care is very expensive (the wife of the former CBS executive says they are facing bankruptcy due to costs), caregivers are mostly poorly paid. And the Costa Rican-born caregiver faces her own dilemma in attempts to gain legal residency. An impressive exploration of difficult subject matter, Care illuminates many of the issues surrounding home healthcare. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Care
(2017) 56 min. DVD: $99: high schools & public libraries; $350: colleges & universities. New Day Films. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-57448-446-5. Volume 33, Issue 3
Care
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