It's Not a Burden: The Humor and Heartache of Raising Elderly Parents (2021) User Reviews

Beautiful helpful and heartfelt!

[ookpik-02386 · 9/10 · 5 June 2023]

I am currently helping to care for my aging Mom. I saw this movie and loved it. It gave me tools and more than anything made me realize I'm not alone. I know every family deals with this differently but this story of love, humor and forgiveness helped me deal with my own situation and made me appreciate how much a simple documentary can speak to so many. Thank you filmmakers!

I was actually nervous to watch it at first, afraid I would be too sad - I don't know why. I am so glad I watched it - it left me feeling uplifted and like I had tools and I would think about other peoples stories as I am going through mine.

Unrealistic

[TheTheosopher-1 · 5/10 · 1 September 2021]

This film presents a very lopsided "butterflies & rainbows" view of caring for one's aging parents. Where are the parents with dementia who lash out violently against their caretakers? Where are the children who don't love their parents unconditionally, but are forced due to circumstances to care for them anyway (frequently without appreciation and with constant verbal abuse)? It would be lovely if the situations depicted in this film were the rule rather than the exception, but I feel this is not the case and that a more realistic and balanced view would better serve the viewer.

Overall, it's a nice slice of life type of film, just not balanced or realistic. Let's face it - it can be and frequently IS a huge burden caring for one's elderly parents with dementia. Downplaying that is not fair to those who suffer the burden on a daily basis.