Caring for Your Parents

Filmmaker Michael Kirk's eye-opening documentary provides an excellent overview of the myriad challenges faced by adult children caring for aging parents. Focusing on five different families, each taking on the role of caregiver due to increasing illness or encroaching dementia, the film takes a tender but honest look at both the emotional and practical sides of a life-changing transition that is often overwhelming. Not surprisingly, many seniors are reluctant to give up their sense of independence, even though they can no longer safely live on their own. In many cases, one of several siblings winds up taking on the lion's share of parent care for various reasons, a course that often leads to conflicts over who has the right to make important decisions (and some families must undergo difficult conversations with parents to determine end-of-life choices—such as whether or not to use a feeding tube). In addition, the program touches on the topics of when a caregiver can no longer personally care for a parent with an advanced terminal illness or dementia, the debilitating task of caring for both parents simultaneously, and the heartbreaking trial of coping with a mother or father no longer able to recognize their children. DVD extras include a conversation with the authors of Caring for Your Parents: The Complete Family Guide, and a printable booklet. Although occasionally heart-wrenching to watch, this excellent documentary takes a clear, straightforward, and informative approach to one of the key subjects facing baby boomers today. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)