Elder abuse has been a low-key crime in American society. The saddest thing about this crime? Not enough major news outlets have covered it. Independent filmmakers and journalists have done everything they can to bring the stories about elder abuse to the public. The results are a series of provocative documentaries that every documentary and film buff should see, at least until they start to tear up.
Northern California elder abuse lawyers at Freeman Injury Law believe that elder abuse is a growing problem, not just in America, but all over the world. It’s an issue that is becoming more common in the United States because the baby boomer generation has begun to require living assistance.
Here are some documentaries on elder abuse to help you learn more about this common social issue:
A House Divided
A house divided: Caregiver Stress & Elder Abuse is the first film we are featuring. This documentary is thirty-five minutes long and can be viewed online. It really dives into how elderly, helpless individuals are being abused and neglected by their loved ones and children. While this is a common form of elder abuse, it’s not the only one.
Secrets In America
We will be discussing the next movie, Secrets In America: The Crisis of Elder Abuse. Cornerstone Pictures produced this documentary. It was funded by Stanislaus Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, who made it public and announced that elder abuse statistics have been distorted over time. There has been an increase of 50% in elder abuse cases in America in the past five years. The documentary is captivating, shocking, and eye-opening. Secrets in America will help you to understand the extent of this problem in America. We also know that there are ways to improve this situation.
Saving Our Parents
We will be discussing the next movie, Saving our Parents. This movie is more about elder abuse at the professional level in retirement and nursing homes. One story of a young girl who discovers her father was suffering elder abuse in a nursing home, and that she died from it is the heartbreaking tale. Many more topics are discussed about elder abuse and fraud in nursing homes. This documentary also discusses nursing home neglect. It is a very alarming topic because so many Americans have loved ones in retirement homes or nursing homes. Sometimes it is hard to tell if they are receiving the treatment they deserve.
An Age for Justice
An age for justice: Confronting elder abuse in America is the last movie we will discuss on this list. This documentary is very powerful because it uses the internet to expose some of the most serious cases of elder abuse, and brings them to life using filmmaking. This movie shows how powerful movies can be. It is only 16 minutes long, but the message it conveys can last a lifetime. This film’s overall message is that elder abuse must be recognized as a serious issue and Americans must confront it head-on, just like every other social problem. And do so with the respect that our elders deserve.
We hope these documentaries will inspire and inform you about this very difficult issue that many Americans don’t have the time or knowledge to discuss with their family and friends. Many of us have relatives who live in nursing homes, or are in a position of potential neglect. These are the people most at risk for elder abuse. These films are a great way to support these brave filmmakers.
Summarized from an article by Trial Lawyers Freeman & Freeman.
