Rage Against the Darkness Series 2006
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by John Kastner, in association with CBC and the Documentary Channel.
Director n/a
VHS, color, 120 min. (3 tapes, 60 min. each)
Sr. High - Adult
Geriatrics, Aging, Psychology, Sociology, Nursing, Health Sciences
Date Entered: 09/11/2006
Reviewed by Ernarosa Tominich, MLS, Trocaire College Library, Buffalo NYWe all put it off. Facing the reality of a loved one or perhaps ourselves, aging, growing old, becoming sick and dying. Perhaps if we ignore it, it will go away. But it does not and the decision-making process is difficult at best. What are the physical and emotional risks of living alone? Should one move into an assisted living facility or nursing home? How do seniors react and interact with others in the nursing home? What about the fallout of others’ dying and knowing that death is the only way out of the nursing facility? What does it take to be a happy, well-adjusted resident of a nursing home? How and when does one decide?
Filmed over several years in Canada, this series on aging is an ambitious undertaking, which follows five seniors with different lifestyles, and the difficult ways they and their families transition the increased impairments of illness and old age.
The titles and summary of the 3 videos are as follows:
Gert’s Secret is the story of a 102 year-old whose zest for life has not waned after 16 years as a nursing home resident. Gert cares about her appearance. She changes outfits for each meal and always “does” her hair, nails and make-up. Vanity goes a long way in keeping Gert happy and so does her interest in betting and attending the horse races. Gert is friendly and outgoing but also values her privacy, being particularly guarded towards her roommates. After all, they won’t be there long. Maxine, her last roommate died only a few months after she was admitted. Gert also deals successfully with dementia residents, as well as residents who give her a hard time: she will hit her wheelchair against theirs. Stubborn and feisty, Gert stands her ground and relentlessly fights the emotional ups and downs of a nasty bathroom fall and subsequent depression.
Living Dangerously is about two seniors who choose to live alone in their respective homes. 88 year-old Philip is a bachelor impaired by osteoporosis and diabetes. Helen, 82, has congestive heart failure and failing eyesight. She does not see well enough to select her medications. Eventually both die in their homes. Philip is found dead 3 days after a diabetic shock; Helen dies alone from a fall on her veranda.
Bunny and Leona are two sisters who take care of each other for over thirty years. Bunny, 67, suffers a stroke and also has multiple sclerosis. She spends over eight months in hospital waiting for placement in a nursing home. Once placed, she not only faces the loneliness of separation but also adjusting to the degenerative conditions of nursing home residents, some of whom are 20 years older than she. Meantime 72 year old Leona also needs help with daily tasks and selects a retirement lodge to live in. But Leona is not happy there. She misses her sister and struggles for a time before she adjusts to her new life.
The Rage Against the Darkness Series is highly recommended. Producer John Kastner is a three time Emmy Award winner who delicately presents the very common and yet not much talked about process of life choices associated with facing the reality of illness, growing old and dying.