Earlier in 2020, a local theater troup out of Oregon put on a performance of a play that prominently features the trials and triumphs of providing end of life care for the elderly. The show highlighted the importance of relationships during this time and brought attention to a lot of the problems that families face when there is a need for senior care. The play was brutally honest with some of the issues that were faced because it was based on real life experiences.
As the need for senior care grows, it is going to works its way into the arts more and more. And this is not something that should be surprising.
This was not a Broadway level play and did not receive much (if any) attention outside of the West Coast. However, it does show that this is a growing cultural concern. Like any other big topic within our society, things make their way into the arts. Think about the success that Rent saw when it hit Broadway back in the 90s. It was the first major show to tackle the subject of the HIV/AIDS epidemic head on, and received a lot of stellar reviews. It was one of the many steps that helped bring this taboo subject to the forefront of society’s attention. It certainly wasn’t the only work of art addressing it, but the theater has always been a place where things can be discussed with a bit of humor and seriousness at the same time.
That layer of protection between the stage and the audience also gives patrons of the arts a way to explore their own thoughts on things like senior care. It can be a way to help us sort out our feelings and get an idea of what we would do in a similar situation.
As the need for senior care grows in our society, it is becoming more frequently portrayed in theater and the rest of the arts.
Senior care is not something to be taken lightly. Even if it is working its way into culture in ways that seem to devalue it (think about the negative view that some movies give to moving into a nursing home, like Pixar’s Up), good senior care is something that should be appreciated. No one wants to need care, but it is a natural part of the aging process.
But because so many do have an aversion to needing care, involving the people that you love in the care process is important. Asking for their input, valuing their desires and choices, and giving them a say in what happens is a big part of creating a successful care environment. It ensures that those horror stories we see in the movies don’t happen in real life. It ensures that the person receiving care feels loved and appreciated.
Care can be tough to navigate at times. We can help. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation and learn about what we do here at Paradise In-Home Care. Everyone’s needs are a little different, but that just stresses how important good, customized care is. Let us know if you’d like to learn more. We’d be glad to help.
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