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Mary's Boys (3:15)
Michael Pfaendtner - Macomb, MI
At age 91, Mary Mitchell is still able to maintain her independence, continuing to live in her home in Farmington Michigan thanks to the help she receives from her three sons. The three brothers all live within a five-mile radius from Mary, making their daily visits to check up on their mother and help with meal preparation convenient.
Taking an upbeat and playful approach, Mary’s Boys combines interviews with Jim, Ken and Tom Mitchell and accompanying footage as they explain how their care-giving responsibilities have evolved over the past year.
Oldest son Jim, an attorney, has assumed the duties and responsibilities of keeping track of all financial, medical and insurance paperwork as well as scheduling and attending all doctor’s appointments with his mother. He has also assumed the role of Mary’s patient advocate.
Middle son Ken comes over each evening to prepare dinner for his mother as well as breakfast for the next morning, while youngest son Tom, who works afternoons, is available to come by at noon to prepare lunch.
Falls are a constant source of concern for the brothers. Following a fall five years ago that resulted in a fractured hip, Ken enrolled his mother in the Lifeline program, providing her with a pendant and telephone device to summon emergency help if needed.
Mary’s mobility is limited these days due to a problem with her knee that makes her dependent on her walker to maintain her balance. As an added precaution, Ken and Tom have installed numerous handrails and supports throughout the house. Additionally, Mary has had a chair lift installed to assist with the stairs.
Throughout the film the brothers speak positively about the cooperation that has developed between them in regard to their mother’s care. So far, they have developed a system that seems to work with minimal conflict. Although the subject of assisted living has come up from time to time, Mary’s boys have made it possible for her to remain in familiar surroundings.
Producer Biography:Michael Pfaendtner
Michael Pfaendtner is an editor / filmmaker living and working in the Detroit area where he edits television commercials, documentaries, sports features, corporate presentations and web based programming.
He has presented his independent documentaries and short films at festivals around the country, where they have been audience favorites, receiving numerous awards along the way.
Additionally, his work has been televised on the Travel Channel, on Public Television stations throughout Michigan and across Canada and most recently, featured on the website of WGBH in Boston.
A graduate of Wayne State University, his interest in non-fiction film goes back almost thirty years to 1979 when he made his first documentary, a college film entitled Auction Sale. Since then he has independently produced documentaries on a variety of unusual topics.
All Sales Final documented an annual convention held by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association while Roadside Attractions paid a visit to Prehistoric Gardens, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Dinosaur Park in the World”. Iwo Jima Diary, an illustrated oral history of one of World War II’s most ferocious battles is his most ambitious project to date, taking almost two years to complete. This was followed by Texas Hospitality, a documentary short examining the final meal requests of ten executed offenders.
His latest effort, Mary’s Boys, was recently among the top three selections by public television station WGBH in response to their Open Call for short films addressing the issue of caring for aging parents. He hopes that when the time comes, his children will follow the example shown in his film.
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Mary's Boys
Thank you for this heartwarming film! Mary and her boys seem to be coping with the challenges of aging very well. Four children (aged 55 - 63) and one grand-daughter are working toward achieving the same harmony in caring for our 91 year old mother/grandmother as she faces the difficulties of her declining condition living in her own apartment. As with Mary's boys, we are finding our special niches and hope that our ongoing care will help Mom enjoy a good quality of life. Our only regret is that she had to relocate to be in closer proximity to us so we could be actively involved in her care on a daily basis and that move was very disconcerting to her. Acceptance is coming slowly! Having her new residence organized and decorated similarly to her former home has eased the transition. Mom's desire is to remain in her own space rather than living with one of her children or going into a long-term care facility and we will make every effort to make that wish a reality for Mom. Accessing community resources and installing safety devices have been relatively easy tasks and have given us peace of mind in terms of Mom living by herself. Like others in the same position, we encounter some challenging situations but are happy that we can work together in helping Mom maintain good health and happiness for as long as possible.
Mary's Boys
How wonderfully uplifting and informative!
It looks like these sons have really done their homework in helping to give their mother the quality of life, and happiness she deserves.
Well done!
Mary's Boys
This just warms your heart. It is very inspiring. Thank you!
Bless their hearts
A good portrait of what it takes to tend to someone in Deep Age. They are generous men.
Mary's Boys
I could really relate to this story. The production values are a little rough. But the story is most important.
Mary's Boys
How awesome to see grown children working together to help their Mom.. Too often I hear of children fighting over who gets Mom's lamp after she is gone.
Mary's Boys
Excellent... how many adults take the time these days to care for their aging parents like the Mitchell boys do?
Allowing their mother to stay in the home where she is familiar is the best thing they can do for her.
Mary's Boys
This one just HAS to be included. It gives so much important information. 1) what a difference it makes in the workload when family's come together. 2) what a difference (both mentally and physically) it makes in someone's life when they are willingly "cared for." 3) all the things we can do to make "staying at home" possible for our elderly. And, last but most certainly not least, the joy and fulfillment that one can experience in helping another through difficult times.