Rosemary Oliver, a registered Occupational Therapist in Toronto Canada says of Aspects of Caring "This is a beautifully produced, sensitive, caring and real video. It provides valuable information to caregivers."

Rosemary also comments "Aspects of Living flows between life at home, in an Adult Day Program and within an institution. It highlights good care, the need for respect and dignity and how life can be more than just daily routines."

Of Aspects of Hope she states, "This video concludes the journey of caring and sharing, during the closing of a life and the loss and healing of the caregiver. It is an honest but hopeful recounting of the experiences and feelings of care giving, clearly explained and thoughtfully expressed. It looks at both sides of the story; it describes the roller coaster of emotions and the challenges of decisions throughout this moving presentation. It is punctuated with wonderful photography showing the beauty of nature and the cycle of life. Loss and grief are honestly faced but hope, growth, healing and moving forward continue the positive theme that runs through this story of life. It is an excellent, informative and sensitive production.


From a care giver about "Aspects of Hope" -

When I first viewed this video, the sheer volume of information overwhelmed me. My primary interest had been how to deal with my life once my role of care giver had ended. I have found however, I return to this video to get reassurance and support for this very important time I still have with my Mother, before she leaves. I am encouraged to spend my time in the present, to enjoy the moment and take joy in helping my mother live her life today. Even the smallest smile on her face is fixed in my memory. I am now beginning to see and store wonderful moments, as she seems to soften while accepting her reality. Without this video, I am not sure I would have recognized this opportunity.

I am still concerned about my life once my care giving role is finished, but this video helped reinforce a faith that I was not alone and the meaning of my journey would becomes clear at the right time.


Judith A Lindop RN, BScN, Med
Professor of Nursing (Retired) George Brown College, Toronto, Canada says-

The target audience for these videos, and in particular Aspects of Hope, would include all educational programs teaching:

•       health care providers from personal support workers to
•       bachelor of nursing, chaplaincy
•       social work
•       counselor, psychotherapist
•       grief counselor

I would recommend Aspects of Hope be a part of funeral home libraries, volunteer support groups for cancer and other catastrophic diseases as well as public libraries so that the general population has access to the information.

Aspects of Hope
This is the fourth and last in a series of videos which follow the physical deterioration of a woman with multiple sclerosis.

The first 3 videos are not medical works which outline cause, treatment and outcome of the disease but rather concentrate on the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of the journey this woman and her partner go through in the last years of her life.

Aspects of Hope focuses on the characteristics of a successful caregiver, the lessons learned by this caregiver and the grieving process as experienced by this caregiver.

The first part of this video lists the factors the caregiver believes are necessary to be a successful caregiver. These include one's attitude towards disability, the nature of the relationship pre-disease and the ability to learn new skills quickly as the disease progresses. At the same time the caregiver is facing isolation and fear. A support system is needed and, of course, professional help to learn the necessary skills. Also respite time for the caregiver becomes necessary to avoid exhaustion and subsequent unintentional anger. The decision process to have or not to have a tracheotomy performed to aid breathing and suctioning is described. This leads to the realization that life is not permanent and one must be able to change. The two women embark on a new and frightening voyage through the unknown. The choice is to have an attitude of fear or faith and hope. One must live each day as it comes.

Part 2 describes a different kind of living after tracheotomy. This surgery decreased the fear of choking. The woman with MS was still glad to be alive…there was still hope, the two women focused on being alive. The caregiver must learn to anticipate death and grief as the caregiver role becomes her major focus. Caregiver respite becomes essential at this point to avoid burnout.


Part 3 is titled New Beginnings. Here the caregiver describes her grieving process and the insights gained from this experience. She asks some age-old questions: Who am I?, What is Life? She realizes the caregiver role has dominated her life and defined her as a person for so many years that it leaves the caregiver with a sense of emptiness. She reiterates the need to maintain and build social contacts. Friends and family are badly needed at this time to rediscovery oneself.

The target audience for these videos, and in particular Aspects of Hope, would include all educational programs teaching:
      health care providers from personal support workers to bachelor of nursing,
      chaplaincy
      social work
      counselor, psychotherapist
      grief counselor

I would recommend Aspects of Hope be a part of funeral home libraries, volunteer support groups for cancer and other catastrophic diseases as well as public libraries so that the general population has access to the information.

Judith A Lindop RN, BScN, Med
Professor of Nursing (Retired)
George Brown College, Toronto, Canada