Being a family caregiver can feel isolating, but you’re far from alone. Across the country and the world, millions of people are quietly doing the same work: showing up, making impossible choices, and navigating each day with courage and compassion.
Sometimes, seeing these stories reflected back to us in a way that feels both tender and honest can make a world of difference. That’s the power of a well-told documentary. It can help you feel seen, offer new insight, or even a moment of peace, reminding you that your role, though often invisible, deeply matters.
If you’re looking for a way to reflect, recharge, or feel connected to the larger caregiving community, here are three thoughtful films to consider watching:
Caregiving: A Deep, Honest Look at America’s Care Crisis and the Heroes at Its Heart.
This documentary takes you into the lives of caregivers across the U.S., blending personal stories with a broader look at what it means to provide care to a loved one in a nation that heavily undervalues the work.
From family members providing daily support, to children taking on caregiving roles far too young, Caregiving shines a light on the quiet strength and emotional complexity of those who provide care, usually without pay or recognition.
Actor and director Bradley Cooper states that the film was inspired by his experience caring for his father. The result is not just a basic exposé on the gaps in our care infrastructure, but also a heartfelt tribute to the people who fill those gaps each and every day.
Learn more here: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BRADLEY COOPER’S FILM CAREGIVING TO PREMIERE ON PBS FOR NATIONWIDE BROADCAST JUNE 24 STREAMING BEGINS MAY 27
Keys Bags Names Words: Reframing Dementia
The second documentary on this list is Keys Bags Names Words: documentary about reframing dementia.
This film does not aim to sugarcoat or shy away from the harsh realities of dementia, but it does aim to change the conversation and how we talk about it. Rather than focusing solely on the decline, Keys Bags Names Words explores what it means to live well with memory loss and how loved ones can continue to meaningfully connect, even as recognition fades.
In this documentary, you’ll hear from people living with dementia, their loved ones, and health experts. Their goal is to spark a cultural shift, one that helps move the general populous from fear – a common reaction to such a diagnosis – toward inclusion, prevention, dignity and an overall higher quality of life. It also offers insights into how we might reduce our own risk by supporting our brain health through lifestyle, choices, and community.
Learn more here: Keys Bags Names Words
Facing the Wind: Exposing Lewy Body Dementia
Finally, check out Facing the Wind, a documentary about Lewy body dementia and the power of community. This documentary explores what happens when one partner begins to fade and the other refuses to let go.
This documentary walks you through a series of stories, from Linda, a former teacher navigating her husband‘s diagnosis, to Curry, a truck driver turned podcast host, building supportive communities and spaces for others with LBD.
It’s full of humor and heartache, but mostly it’s about how shared experience can soften the toughest challenges. It’s a testament to the love and resilience it takes to be a long-term caregiver.
Learn more here: Facing the Wind
Closing Thoughts: Documentaries to Watch as a Family Caregiver
Documentaries can’t solve the day-to-day challenges of caregiving, of course, but they can help you find the right language for your experiences, find comfort, or get a sense of community as you go through this challenge each day.
If you resonated with this article, we invite you to check out our library of free resources. To get more information about the resources we have available to you as a California caregiver, contact us at the California Caregiver Resource Center nearest to you or join CareNav for free today.
Further Reading: How to Support Independent Living: Keeping Your Loved One Safe and in Their Home
As a family caregiver in California, you know that supporting your aging loved ones at home is a growing challenge. You are essential in helping them stay independent. In this guide to independent living, we’ll show you how to safely support your loved one(s) in their independent living goals. Click here to read all about it.
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