Due to the very nature of the services homecare agencies provide—in the privacy of one’s home—our work is rarely on display. We don’t do this work for public recognition. We do it because it provides compassionate care that preserves independence and dignity for the people entrusted into our care. Sure, there are industry recognition awards, but seldom do we hear people shouting from the rooftops about caregiving.
Until now. Bradley Cooper—actor, producer and director—is shining a light on the current state of caregiving in our country as executive producer of a PBS documentary titled “Caregiving.” The topic is personal, he helped care for his father during his battle with lung cancer, to which he succumbed in 2011. Just as Cooper has been open with his personal struggles with addiction, he readily shares the impact of being part of his father’s care team.
“The caregiving experience I had with my father inspired this documentary,” said Cooper, in a statement. “I came to appreciate how we need to care for caregivers better. It is my hope that “Caregiving” will provide affirmation and support for those who do this profoundly meaningful and increasingly vital work.”
I know we tend to put celebrities on a pedestal and think that their lives are perfect, but Cooper’s candid look at the examples of caregiving that are taking place across the country reminds us that caregiving is something we all share.
As someone who has devoted considerable time to expanding homecare services to communities from coast to coast, I feel a sense of pride that my role in the caregiving continuum is recognized in this very public way. While we have come a long way in this relatively new homecare service model, there is still much to do.
Through vignettes of six caregivers from across the country, the documentary points out the emotional, financial and physical burdens of caregiving as well as the heartbreaking and often infuriating shortfalls of our country’s current support system and safety net for people who need care.
The documentary also incorporates historical footage of federal programs enacted—and vetoed—over the last 100 years that have led to the current state of caregiving in America not just for older adults, but for children, people with disabilities and veterans. This truly resonated with me, as SYNERGY HomeCare’s “care for all” approach to our services has been an important evolution in our business model, one that is clearly aligned with current and future needs.
I encourage all of us who work tirelessly to elevate and expand this industry to make time to watch this powerful documentary and call to action. “Caregiving” started streaming on May 27 on pbs.org and the PBS App, and its broadcast premiere is on Tuesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET.