Caregiving Crisis Looms: Bradley Cooper’s Film Spotlights Urgent Needs

The U.S. faces a growing caregiving crisis, with nearly half of all states on the brink of an emergency. A new documentary, produced by Bradley Cooper, delves into the realities of caregiving, offering a timely look at the challenges and the vital need for support.

A Personal Story

The film, “Caregiving,” premiering on PBS, is executive produced by Bradley Cooper, who once paused his career to care for his father, who had terminal cancer. The film portrays both the rewards and difficulties of this crucial role.

Cooper shared his experience at the United Nations, following a screening of excerpts. He revealed the emotional impact of caregiving.

“When I was in the active action of caring, it was very fulfilling. It was the moments of solitude and quiet after where I felt scared and confused and frightened because of the role reversal, because of so many things, because of how surreal life became,”

—Bradley Cooper

Pending Medicaid budget cuts and other safety net programs will likely exacerbate the strain on caregivers. The film aims to shed light on this. In 2023, the average annual cost of home care in the U.S. was $72,620 (AgingCare).

The Scope of the Crisis

A recent Columbia University study, sponsored by Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, highlights the high value of unpaid family caregiving, which is often undervalued. The study provides a scorecard to assess local caregiving needs and aid policymakers in allocating resources.

The film also features actress Uzo Aduba, who narrates, shares her insights.

“I didn’t even realize until I started reading through the material and watching some of the stories and the advocacy work that I was in fact part of a community. Because the experience that I had felt, so isolated and so individual,”

—Uzo Aduba

The film explores caregiving support systems, including respite care, self-care, education, and mental health resources. Chris Durrance, the director and senior producer, points out that many caregivers do not recognize their critical role. Ai-jen Poo of Caring Across Generations notes the struggles caregivers face.

AARP Facts

The AARP provides key facts about caregiving in the U.S.

• 5.4 million children and adolescents in the U.S. are direct caregivers for a family member.
• Roughly one-fifth of U.S. adults 18 and older will experience caregiving at some point, with the large majority providing care for older adults.
• Most caregivers are women, and the average age of caregivers is 49.4, with one-quarter between 18 and 34.
• More than eight in 10 caregivers say they can think clearly (86%), can deal with problems well (85%) and feel useful (85%) because of their caregiving experience.
• More than eight in 10 say that caregiving gives them a sense of purpose (82%) and helps them to feel good about themselves (81%).

Additional Insights

Natalie Black, CEO of Comfort Keepers, emphasizes the importance of respite care. Older adults with Medicare and Medicaid may qualify for low-cost in-home care.

For families paying for services, in-home care can be costly. However, most agencies try to tailor plans to meet both financial and care needs, according to Black.