The Fundamentals Of Caregiving

Found within the library of Netflix originals is the movie The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving. The movie is about a man that decides to take a caregiving job. His reasons are intrinsic and we learn how powerful the roots of compassion are when it comes to caregiving.

The movie has many themes that are important. To pay a caregiver 9.00hr is a nightmare in this country. The misgivings of such a wage challenge a family to question whether a caregiver is properly fit for such a task. The young adult in the movie has serious complications due to ALS. For any parent to leave such a medical risk with an improperly paid caregiver can be quite challenging.

Another amazing theme in this movie is that people with disabilities or life threatening illnesses can have a refreshingly strong outlook on life, if given the chance. They struggle every day, when the perceptions of parents and the community are a barrier to free will. Too often, decisions are made by authorities, not people.

The caregiver challenges this perception. He believes a young man with a disability deserves a road trip full of adventures. A voyage of discovery would be good for the young man. What is fused together on a "road of discovery" is that two parties can benefit from such an idea. It would seem that the caregiver benefits just as much as the person in need of care. This is the magic of the movie. It challenges us to expand the boundaries of caregiving. Too often, we restrict people due to disability. This movie allows us to see the benefits of enabling people to be who they are, themselves.

There is a reoccurring theme in this movie that I absolutely love. People with disabilities can have a humorous take on their own situation. I can not provide the examples without giving away the movie. (AKA the spoiler alert) I can tell you that it is these genuine moments that bring reality to light. We all have the ability to find light in dark situations.

Lastly, I cannot say enough about Paul Rudd. This movie showcases his acting talent. Too often the Hollywood machine can limit an actor. This movie gives Rudd freedom to bring emotional and raw feeling to his character. Craig Roberts also does an amazing job with his character as the young man with ALS. Both individuals work well together and their on screen chemistry make this a truly special movie. If you are a caregiver, or someone who advocates for people with disabilities, this movie is well worth watching.