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A House Divided: Caregiver Stress and Elder Abuse

Through 4 moving portraits, this short documentary sheds light on the tragedy of caregiver stress and elder abuse. The abuse takes many forms, ranging from wilful neglect and financial exploitation to physical assault. The film portrays the emotional complexity of family relationships that can lead to abuse of the elderly, the anguish and isolation of its victims, and the need for community understanding and support.
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Through 4 moving portraits, this short documentary sheds light on the tragedy of caregiver stress and elder abuse. The abuse takes many forms, ranging from wilful neglect and financial exploitation to physical assault. The film portrays the emotional complexity of family relationships that can lead to abuse of the elderly, the anguish and isolation of its victims, and the need for community understanding and support.

Seniors Families Social Issues All subjects
  • director
    Lyn Wright
  • script
    Lyn Wright
  • narrator
    Lyn Wright
  • producer
    Silva Basmajian
  • executive producer
    John Spotton
  • cinematography
    John Walker
    David Meyers
    Charles Konowal
  • sound
    Ross Redfern
    Stephen Longstreth
    Michael Mirus
  • editing
    John Kramer
  • sound editing
    Eva Jaworska
  • re-recording
    Jack Heeren
  • music
    Randolph Peters

Education

Ages 16 to 18

Notes

Warning (if any): Partial nudity (posterior), descriptions of violence, photos of bruises on elderly woman after elder abuse

Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:

Documentary profiling the challenges faced by families when caring for elderly family members in the home setting, as well as the difficulty of coming to terms with institutional care for their loved ones.

How do different families take care of their elderly members based on cultural norms and expectations?

As we approach the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, how might our institutions better prepare in order to deal with the potential influx of residents?

More educational content

A House Divided: Caregiver Stress and Elder Abuse
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