Episode 8: What Now?
Carl and Connor’s father is dealing with Dementia, but there is no longer a bed for him at the hospital. What will they do now?
Director: Josh Feinman
Writer: Bradd Bowden
“Carl”: Ivan Basso
“Connor”: Tony Collins
Read more about the episode in this interview with Writer Bradd Bowden and Director Josh Feinman.
Resources for people who are dealing with a family member with Dementia
Care, housing, medical expenses, money… there are many elements to worry about when a family member is ill with Dementia. Luckily there are resources that can help you take care of the basics, so you can focus on the important stuff – spending all the time you have left with your relative.
Eldercare Locator is a site that helps you find local senior services like short- or long-term care, financial resources, in-home service providers, food and nutrition programs, and more. You can also call 1.800.677.1116 and Eldercare will connect you to your local Area Agency on Aging.
If like Carl and Connor, you’re worried about housing for an ill parent, there are various resources you can consider, like homecare, hiring in-home help, adult day services, hiring a care manager,
Emotional Resources
Practical Advice
- Getting yourself organized
- Making your home safe if you’re a home caregiver
- Applying for Social Security benefits
- Cutting down on prescription costs
- Knowing the difference between Medicaid and Medicare
- Financing eldercare
- Financial and legal advice
- Paying for medicine and food
- Help with medical expenses
- More information on Medicare
- Reaching out to the community
- Identifying the need for end-of-life care
Pretty amazing how “true to life” this piece really is. Not more than a month after it aired, my family is now “dealing” with a similar issue, weighing the pluses and minuses of various options. Thank you Bradd and FSC for writing/producing such a realistic piece.
Great job! Acting was superb. Love the feel that Josh created with the camera moves. Love this series!
Very well done, so sad, we could all go thru this someday.
Good point, Dave. There are millions of people who are left behind in the current system. If there was more healthcare available, would healthcare services suffer? Should government get more involved, put more people to work in healthcare?
Great job to everyone on the episode! One of the best so far! I like how the mood shifted several times but ended up back where it started. What now?
Nicely done. Cool series and great talent. Keep up the good work!
Though it wasn’t necessarily the central theme of this episode, it certainly prompted conversation in my household about the affordability of long term care and the viable options out there.
Of course on the macro level, it’s indicative of the ridiculous system that we have in this country that ties our dinosaur-era medical/insurance/health care coverage to the almighty dollar, rather than valuing human life. Gee, what a surprise.
Wow. What a great handling of a topic many of us are either facing now or have a good chance of dealing with in the future. For years my mother has worked as an activity director in convalescent homes, and hearing her stories, this is an exact depiction of what families and her clients go through. My aunt is suffering from dementia, and it is always sad and disconcerting to look in her eyes and see she does not recognize me. Luckily, her and my uncle are in a home that provides them with the care they need.
The acting, writing and direction were excellent The range of emotion, especially the bit of humor, clearly conveys the difficulty of an almost impossible situation.
Amazingly real dialogue. Not a family out there that can’t relate to these types of decisions. We all play a role, some major, some minor….kinda brings us together on a spiritual plane. Great production all around — writing, directing spot on.
Wow, yet another moving episode filled with tension, powerful subject matter, skilled actors and a clearly experienced production team. All who make the story believable and touching. As our parents age each of us is faced with these difficult circumstances and painful decisions. Facing a lifetime of memories with our parents is both beautiful and challenging. Trying to reconcile our emotions and still care for them as they did for us as children can give us great moments of personal growth and show a person just how deep love and courage can be in a person…
WELL DONE!
Well written. Excellent directing and acting. Felt the hardship these brothers are dealing with.
Very nice work. I thought the moment of “gallows humor” laughter in the middle was very poignant, a really nice, true counterstroke to the subject matter. Well done.
Good work Josh and to the actors. I experienced this with my father who passed on from Alzheimers
I know this story all too well. As a Bronx native I unfortunately know these facilities. It’s too bad this is what we have to look forward to in our Golden years.
Very important message in this conversation.
thanks
stone Z
Ivan Basso rocks! Josh great job. Great feel, great movement. Have to say I loved the music to BTW. I’m thinking this is my fav episode so far. 🙂
Nice stuff guys. I like the lightness in the middle there. It really brought their relationship to life. Until next week!!
Beautifully written. Thank you for capturing what many families struggle with in such a poignant way!
Amazing job. Very impactful. I think we can all relate to this in some way or form from past experiences.
Fantastic webisode!
Great episode!!! Wonderfully written!
Bravo!, Bravo!
What a great webisode. I wind up coming here every week or so to see if there are new discussions. I like being able to watch other people dealing with situations and then think about my own family.
I’m so glad a friend told me about this site and this video. I have someone very close to me with a father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and these are among the tough decisions people are faced with. Thank you for making these videos, I’m glad to find more interesting topics on the site.
This was crafted in such a way that it firmly expresses the confusion, anger, and the real pain that comes with caring for an elderly parent dealing with such conditions as “aggressive dementia…” Josh…you’ve captured this all too common situation with skill…nicely done…
The Eldercare Locater website is great. I’ve worked at the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging in Columbus, Ohio for 15 years. There are programs and assistance in across the United States and this is a great place to start!
Great job with a difficult topic. I like the humor in the middle. Excellent acting.
So many families are going through this situation. Thank you. The acting as terrific.
R.