The patients that appear in director Patrick O'Connor's timely and sympathetic documentary are almost virtually invisible, since outsiders rarely see them. Indiana nurse practitioner Jessica MacLeod daily visits several homebound or home-limited individuals, a small sampling of the approximate five million such people in America, most of whom depend on Medicare and Medicaid. Thirty-year-old Roger Brown, who received a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in childhood, is confined to a bed. Since Brown has started to experience organ failure, he and MacLeod have discussed end-of-life care. During the film, he also receives visits from hospice workers, which lift his spirits, although his health continues to decline. Pat and Wink Sherrill are a senior couple with several health problems, including arthritis, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, and Crohn's disease. Under MacLeod's care, their health improves, but both worry about finances since Pat has problems finding insurance companies willing to provide extended coverage. A fourth patient, 63-year-old Ron Riordan, uses a wheelchair as a result of a motorcycle accident. He shares his home with his brother, Louis, who is recovering from a heart attack. MacLeod, who has an affectionate rapport with her patients, is a strong advocate for home care. As she puts it, “When you go to someone's house, you're telling them, ‘I value you enough as a person to come see you where you are'.” A powerful documentary that takes a personal look at home healthcare, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
The Invisible Patients
(2016) 88 min. DVD or Blu-ray: $75: public libraries & high schools; $350: colleges & universities. DRA. Tugg. PPR. Volume 32, Issue 5
The Invisible Patients
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