Caregiving film dives into dysfunctional family dynamics

Caring for a loved one can be difficult, especially for families with strained relationships. Complications may arise when adult children need to care for abusive, neglectful or estranged relatives. It may be difficult for families to navigate through issues while providing care, especially if they are unprepared to respond to the variety of challenges that lay ahead.

Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources is offering another film in our caregiving series. “August: Osage County” will be shown Saturday, Mar. 9, at the Grand Cinema, located at 606 S. Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. The film begins at 10:45 a.m. with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. Complimentary popcorn will be provided by Advanced Home Care. The film is free, but tickets must be reserved online or by calling the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 253-798-4600.

Released in 2014, the movie stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in powerful performances as an acid-tongued cancer patient and her stressed-out daughter. Viewers will recognize the challenges of balancing caregiving roles among family members with the plethora of emotions faced as health conditions worsen. The film is recommended as one of the top five caregiving films by SeniorAdvisor.com and is rated R for strong language, sexual references and drug use.

“No one knows better than a caregiver just how emotionally draining the work can be,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources manager. “If families aren’t careful the consequences can be damaging. This film shows what happens when family members come together and bring substantial emotional baggage and history that hurts their ability to be effective and supportive caregivers.”

Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources offers this film as part of our Family Caregiver Support Program. The program helps unpaid family caregivers with many supports including education, counseling, adaptive equipment, housework and errands services and respite care. The program offers support to families of all incomes. For more information about the program or to reserve your tickets, call the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 253-798-4600.

– Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources