DVD Review: Saving Our Parents

Before watching this documentary I thought it was going to be an investigative report focused on elder abuse, and I was surprised to find out it is much more comprehensive than that!

In fact, I wish a major TV network or PBS would air this eye-opening documentary during prime time because it is filled with important information about eldercare in America.

What Does It Cover?

By the year 2010, there will be 40.2 million Americans over the age of 65. And by the year 2030, there will be 71.4 million Americans over 65. Nearly double the amount of senior citizens will be added to the U.S. population in only 20 years!

This documentary explains how financial abuse is committed against our senior citizens: by predatory caregivers, crooked conservators, telemarketing hoaxes and a variety of other scams by ex-cons and con artists. Our Golden Oldies can be robbed of their entire life savings, homes and even their lives if they become the victims of such schemes.

The producers provide many excellent tips on how to prevent financial elder abuse, and include topics such as alternative long-term living arrangements for our Golden Oldies, the role and importance of geriatric care managers, and a touching story about former President Ronald Reagan and his son, Michael.

What Makes It Different?

The many personal stories woven throughout the documentary are what really stayed with me for days after I first watched it.

One of the most interesting segments for me was about Lloyd Drum, age 76, a recovering hoarder. His favorite collectibles were TV sets and bicycles. At one time Lloyd had 5,000 bicycles and bike parts inside his house and he slept in a reclining chair on the front porch! His hoarding habit created a life safety issue, and potentially legal consequences. Hoarding is defined as “the acquisition and failure to discard items that most people would consider useless or of limited value” and is a self-created abuse. His story was a real eye-opener!

Another story told is about Bertra Frank Latham, who suffered severe neglect at a nursing home when his wife (and primary caregiver) needed surgery and could no longer care for him herself. His family shares the hard lessons they learned through this bad experience and provides insight into how to select a nursing home for our Golden Oldies.

It’s not all “gloom and doom” however. There is a very uplifting segment in which Art Linkletter urges seniors, “Don’t retire from life. Stay busy. Stay interested.” Having a positive attitude as our Golden Oldies age and keeping families involved with their Golden Oldies are two keys to a higher quality of life.

Who Should Watch This DVD?

Everyone!

This speaks to our Golden Oldies about keeping a positive attitude, remaining active, and learning about potential scams so as not to fall prey to them.

This DVD speaks to us, their adult children, who are already caring for them or starting to plan for that experience, and who need to learn as much as we can about many aspects of eldercare.

And it speaks to the grandchildren who can learn how to help both their parents and grandparents go through the aging process.

Please go to Saving Our Parents right now and order this DVD as gifts for the people you love. Yes, yourself included. (Or you can click on the E-store link at the top of this page to order it there. I will make a few cents from the sale if you do.)

And after viewing it, pass it along to another family who will benefit from it.

If you belong to a club or organization, ask them to show it at their next meeting. And if you are a professional working with seniors, share the DVD with your co-workers and management team.

Saving our Parents is a wake up call that will help many people.

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• How Prepared Are You for the Future?