Caregiving
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Tuesday, June 24, at 9 PM
Wednesday, June 25, at 2 AM
FUSION (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2):
Saturday, June 28, at 3 PM
The two-hour documentary is centered on the personal experiences of caregivers providing for loved ones, and the challenges and triumph they face each day. These stories are interwoven with the broader context of the cultural and economic conditions in the U.S., leading to a care system tipping into crisis. According to recent studies, in addition to 5 million paid caregivers nationally, it is estimated that between 53 million to 105.6 million U.S. adults provide unpaid caregiving for ill, aging, or disabled family members and friends. In addition, an estimated 5.4 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are direct caregivers. CAREGIVING examines the historical and contemporary efforts to address this oftenunrecognized and rapidly increasing need.
CAREGIVING brings audiences into the daily experiences of six family and professional caregivers across the U.S. as they share the realities associated with providing care full-time and the often-complicated challenges and extraordinary moments, including joy, that are part of the care relationship. The film features Matthew (NY), a young father who became both his wife and son’s primary caregiver overnight after his wife experienced cancer and a debilitating stroke; Jacob (FL), a 14-year-old who, along with his father, shares the role of caregiver for his mom; Tracy (CO), a young woman balancing the transition from daughter to caregiver for her father, who has dementia; and Zulma (NY), a paid home health aide who has become like family to Sherril, who has multiple sclerosis, after years of caring for her — while Zulma also has her own family to care for after long hours of commuting.
