Caregiving is an act of selflessness. It’s our capacity to feel the need of others that inspires in us the decision to take care of them regardless of age, race, or any other circumstance.
That’s why the trope of caregiving is frequently used in cinema because few situations show the best of mankind and teach us valuable lessons as well as those that arise when a person takes care of another.
This selfless act of love and compassion is a testament to the best of the human spirit and the power of empathy to make us one as a species.
At Amy’s Eden, we want to share with you the lessons we have learned from memorable caregiver movies. So, we chose thirteen of the best stories that have kept us real about what caregiving is and why we devote our lives to our beloved seniors.
These films touch on issues ranging from aging, illness, disability, and dementia, and offer a better understanding of the situation of both caregivers and care recipients.
If you haven’t watched them, we invite you to make a plan to watch them all this year. We’ll leave here a brief summary of each one, but every one of these movies hides a treasure that inspired us to keep doing our best to take care of the elderly.
Away From Her (2006) 1hr 49m
When Fiona’s Alzheimer’s starts becoming a risk for her life, she asks her husband, Grant, to check her into a nursing home.
Grant’s past infidelities, known by her wife, and the fact that Fiona becomes close to Aubrey—a resident of the nursing home—as she loses her memories of her husband, will test the extent of Grant’s and Fiona’s love for each other.
Breathe (2017) 1hr 58m
When Robin Cavendish is diagnosed with polio at the age of 28, his life seems to be over. However, thanks to the encouragement and support of his wife Diana, he will discover a new purpose and the strength to change the lives of many people like him.
Caregiver (2008) 2hr 10m
Grade-school English teacher Sarah Gonzales becomes a caregiver—and one of the 150,000 Filipinos working in the United Kingdom—to support his husband Teddy’s economic aspirations.
As Sarah delves into her new profession, she will find the empowerment and dignity to transform herself and defend her own dreams.
Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter (1994) 44m
In this documentary, Debora Hoffman shares all the challenges she faced and the valuable lessons learned as she assumed head-on the responsibility of taking care of her mother with Alzheimer’s.
Even when we know what Alzheimer’s disease is, few of us can fathom the impact when your most significant person asks you in all honesty: “Can you tell me how are we related?”
Encantada (2008) 13m
Dany is an 8-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother Gladys, who is the single most important person in the world to him. But when Gladys starts developing Alzheimer, Dany will have to assume the grownup role of a caregiver for her beloved grandma.
I Married the War (2021) 1hr 34m
A documentary of eleven women who married combat veterans as they face the challenges of loyally keep loving and supporting those who have been scarred by war physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
Me Before You (2016) 1hr 46m
One of the most successful movies of recent times in its genre. “Me Before You follows the story of Louisa Clark, a quirky and vivacious young woman who takes on the job of caring for Will Traynor, a wealthy and successful businessman who has become paralyzed after a tragic accident, losing his will to live.
In a difficult relationship at the beginning, the bond between Lou and Will becomes so strong that will end up changing their lives.
Mickey and the Bear (2019) 1hr 28m
“Mickey and The Bear” explores the complicated relationship between a teenage girl named Mickey and her father, a war veteran struggling with addiction and PTSD.
Mickey is forced to take on the role of caregiver for her father, providing emotional and physical support as he spirals out of control. Despite the challenges she faces, Mickey remains fiercely loyal to her father and is determined to help him get his life back on track while discovering her own.
Please Stand By (2017) 1hr 33m
Wendy is a bright young woman with autism who dreams of becoming a screenwriter. When Wendy runs away from her group home and travels across the country to submit her script for a Star Trek writing contest, her caregiver Scott sets out to find her and bring her home.
As Scott searches for Wendy, he is forced to confront his own biases and limitations and learns the true meaning of caregiving.
Promise (1986) 1hr 37m
In this film, Bob Beuhler is an estranged son who inherits not only his mother’s house but also the responsibility of caring for his younger brother, D.J., who suffers from schizophrenia and epilepsy.
As a 21-year-old, Bob vowed to take care of his brother, and even though he barely saw him in the many years since then, and struggles against the commitment, he decides to fulfill his promise.
The film follows Bob’s journey as he takes care of his brother and slowly bonds with him, leading to Bob’s own rehabilitation from his scars.
Remember Isobel (2018) 1hr 46m
This film revolves around the story of Cathryn Bailey, a fortunate woman with a loving family that includes her devoted mother, Isobel. Isobel has always been the backbone of her family, a strong and resilient woman who always supported them through thick and thin.
However, when Isobel is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, everything changes, and Cathryn finds herself struggling to care for her mother, her wife, and the rest of her family.
The Intouchables (2011) 1hr 52m
The movie tells the story of Philippe, a wealthy quadriplegic, and Driss, a young man from the projects who becomes his live-in caregiver. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two form an unlikely friendship and learn valuable lessons from each other.
As Philippe struggles to adjust to life in a wheelchair and regain his independence, Driss brings humor, energy, and a fresh perspective to his caretaking duties. Through their experiences together, they both come to understand the true meaning of compassion and empathy, as well as the importance of human connection.
The Theory of Everything (2014) 2hr 3m
“The Theory of Everything” is a biographical drama that tells the story of the brilliant physicist, Stephen Hawking, and his wife Jane.
The film follows the couple’s journey from their early days as students at Cambridge to Stephen’s diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the challenges they face as they navigate their marriage and Stephen’s declining health.
Despite the difficulties, Jane becomes Stephen’s primary caregiver, and her love and dedication to him never wavered. Their love and their commitment to one another ultimately lead them to discover a new way of understanding the universe.
Caregiving is So Much More Than Meets the Eye
Caregiving is one of the most generous acts we can perform for another human being and an opportunity to show the best of ourselves and how love can be absolutely boundless.
Movies like “The Theory of Everything,” “Mickey and the Bear,” “The Intouchables,” and “Please Stand By” show us that caregiving can transcend any barriers, including those of age, class, money, and life perspectives.
They also show us that caregiving is as much about providing care and support, as it is about letting our loved ones learn on their own a new way of being independent and free.
At Amy’s Eden, we have learned these and many other lessons from watching caregiver movies and from our daily dedication to taking care of our beloved elderly clients and friends.
We are devoted to being your loved one’s source of love, care, tenderness, and support. That’s why we have designed the best caretaking model in our assisted homes that host only two seniors in upscale neighborhoods in Reno and Carson City, NV, to give them the constant attention they need.
More recently, we have taken that same level of attention to your senior’s well-being to our flexible in-home care services. Depending on your needs, you can count on us to assist your loved one from a few hours a week to the whole day, every day.
So, reach out to us to talk about your elderly loved one’s needs and how we can best help you and them. We promise you a movie-like caregiving experience for your senior that will help them fully enjoy their golden years.
