More than 100 million people across the United States are caregivers to a family member, and the value of their unpaid labor is estimated at over $600 billion a year, according to the documentary 鈥�Caregiving,鈥� premiering on PBS June 24.
The documentary is "really intended to shine a light on the issues and situation of caregivers by sharing personal stories and talking about some of the unknown history of caregiving,鈥� says Debra Barrett, vice president of corporate affairs at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, a health care company that studies caregiving.
Otsuka is the lead sponsor of the documentary, in collaboration with actor and executive producer Bradley Cooper.
鈥淟ike most people, I didn't even think about caregiving until my father was diagnosed with cancer,鈥� Cooper .
鈥淢y dad was somebody who I idolized. I used to dress up like him when I was a kid in kindergarten and get made fun of because I wanted to wear like a suit and a tie,鈥� he says, 鈥渁nd then to go from that to giving him a bath is quite a traumatic thing.鈥�
鈥淚t really is up to us, all of us can help raise the banner for caregivers 鈥� together, with your help, we can make a difference,鈥� Cooper says.
Learn more
鈥淐aregiving,鈥� premieres June 24 at 9 p.m. on CPTV. 黑料新闻 will host a viewing of excerpts from the documentary at Real Art Ways in Hartford on June 23 at 6 p.m.
The viewing will be followed by a panel discussion featuring caregivers across 黑料新闻. The event is free. .
