Take Care: A Film for Caregivers

July 30, 2022July 30, 2022

Submitted by Jon Milograno
Homestead Pictures

Take Care is a drama short film that sheds light on the experience of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s. The film explores themes of love through hardship, personal identity, loss, and familial bonds.

Learn about Take Care’s backstory, then view the video at the end.

The Setup

The plot centers around Joey, the lead singer of a metalcore band. He has been estranged from his family for years, and when he gets a surprise visit from his brother after a local show, the reunion is terse. His brother reveals that their mother has been put on hospice for Alzheimer’s and encourages Joey to attempt to mend their relationship before it’s too late.

Courage and a Revelation

After their conversation, Joey works up the courage to visit his mother, only to find that she no longer remembers who he is. He struggles with the reality that he has become a stranger to the most important person in his world.

When Joey uncovers an old video of him and his mother singing together, he pushes through his fears and takes his place at her side, understanding that he must learn how to care for his mother and cherish the love they have now.

The Inspiration

The inspiration for this film came from a few sources. I work as a camera assistant on various TV shows and movies, and because of the rushed nature of the job, I’m used to an incredibly fast-paced lifestyle. With Take Care, I just wanted to slow down: to take 3 days and a heartfelt story between three characters and see what we could pull off.

This project also came out of a place of observation. While I’ve never had the direct responsibility of taking care of someone I love with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, I vividly remember watching my dad go through it with my grandma, his mom.

I was still too young to fully grasp what was going on when she eventually passed, but the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve realized how difficult it must have been. To watch the person you’ve loved the longest struggle to remember who you are is something unfathomable.

Unfortunately, it’s also something too many people have endured, and no matter how much support is out there, it’s never enough.

A Filmmaker’s Dream

My hope is that caregivers will watch this film and resonate with its heart and core themes, even if the circumstances aren’t exactly akin to their lives. If you’re currently taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, I hope you know that you aren’t alone and if you’re struggling, reach out for support.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou