Netflix debuted the film I Care a Lot in September 2020 on the Toronto Movie Competition to fairly the excitement. It was launched to the general public in mid-February however has lately been gaining extra traction because the award season approaches. Most lately, the lead actress within the movie, Rosamund Pike, received a Golden Globe for Greatest Actress.
The movie itself facilities on a reasonably tough topic: senior guardianship. The principle character performed by Rosamund Pike is a authorized guardian with shady intentions, utilizing her authority to con seniors out of their cash whereas sending them to retirement communities towards their will. Pike’s character meets her match, although, when she makes an attempt to grow to be the guardian of Jennifer Peterson, performed by Dianne Wiest. Evidently Jennifer has ties with very harmful people who find themselves not happy with the brand new guardianship. Naturally, chaos ensues, and viewers discover themselves cheering for anybody who can defeat the crooked guardian.
Whereas I Care a Lot is gaining essential acclaim, it’s also assembly a refrain of senior dwelling and authorized professionals who’re preventing towards the unfavourable stereotypes the movie perpetuates. Whether or not or not you select to observe the movie, you will need to perceive how senior dwelling is portrayed accurately and incorrectly.
Residents Don’t Simply Sit Round and Watch TV
Within the opening sequence of I Care a Lot, the viewer sees a montage of scenes from a retirement neighborhood. In one of many photographs, residents are sitting in a big group and watching tv whereas nurses deliver trays of drugs to present out.
In actuality, senior dwelling communities are lively and vibrant! Though you definitely have the selection to loosen up and watch tv, there aren’t giant teams of residents staring on the tv. And as for remedy help? Nurses are discreet and useful.
Guardians Do Not Have Management of Resident Communication
Maybe one of the startling elements of the film is after we understand that Jennifer, the senior, is unable to name or contact anybody whereas she is within the retirement neighborhood. We see her guardian take away Jennifer’s mobile phone and provides directions to the workers to not permit Jennifer to contact anybody. Additional, we be taught a bit later that the guardian has additionally dictated that anybody who needs to contact Jennifer should accomplish that by way of the guardian.
In actuality, residents in senior dwelling all the time have the flexibility to speak with their family and friends. In truth, senior dwelling workforce members encourage it and are there to assist out with establishing video calls or reminding residents to cost their cell telephones. Guardians don’t have the flexibility to inform workers members what to do with reference to communication as a result of residents have rights.
Guardians Don’t Dictate Treatment
One other horrifying scene is when the guardian seeks to pay retribution to Jennifer as a result of Jennifer received’t inform her extra concerning the harmful ties Jennifer has. The guardian marches into the retirement neighborhood administration workplace and calls for that the resident be placed on quite a lot of drugs, together with a stimulant within the night in order that she doesn’t have good sleep. The administrator agrees instantly.
In actuality, a guardian (whether or not authorized or household) doesn’t have the suitable to dictate senior dwelling residents’ remedy schedules or the varieties of medicines they obtain. As a substitute, physicians order drugs primarily based on every resident’s well being and desires. Members of the family are up to date on remedy modifications through the care plan course of in addition to upon request.
There are many inaccurate and incorrect portrayals within the film, and though it’s leisure, it may be damaging to older adults and relations who could be contemplating senior dwelling. The movie can even trigger nervousness relating to guardianships, particularly as a result of it doesn’t cowl the ins and outs of energy of legal professional designations and different advance directives.
Be sure you have the right data by downloading our free useful resource, Senior Dwelling Demystified. You’ll be taught extra about senior dwelling options in addition to the monetary aspect of planning for senior dwelling.