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Caregivers - Episode Two: Doris and Tom
Description
In 1942, Doris and Tom Homewood vowed to honour each other in sickness and in
health. Today, 54 years later, Doris is determined to keep the man she loves
by her side. Doris insists on caring for Tom at home even though a massive
stroke has left him unable to walk or speak. Despite her 78 years, she
displays remarkable strength in feeding, bathing and transporting her husband
from bed to wheelchair and back.
Doris has learned to accept the isolation that Tom's silence brings.
However, like all of the heroes in the Caregivers series, she is
still a vibrant person. Never away from Tom for more than an hour, she goes
for walks, helps her daughter with the farm work, and feeds the horses.
Produced with the help of individual caregivers and community agencies,
this is a 'how-to' series with soul. Shot over the course of a year, these
five episodes immerse you in the joys and sorrows of providing care. The
caregivers featured in the series are honest and open about their
feelings--and their eloquent insights offer an assessment of our health-care
system's strengths and weaknesses.
After a bout with pneumonia, Tom dies in hospital and Doris is left to
cope with her loss. As she says, 'I guess it just takes time... but I'll get a
hold. And I'll get there.'
1997, 50 min 12 s
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