Review

Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis

Volume: 16 Number: 2 May 31, 2026
TR EN

Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to provide an in-depth examination of elderly caregiving processes by analyzing two films that explore the experiences of aging individuals with progressive chronic illnesses and their elderly spouse caregivers. Amour (2012) and The Leisure Seeker (2016) offer rich narratives that illuminate the physical, emotional, and ethical challenges encountered in caregiving, end-of-life decision-making, and issues related to quality of life and the relief of suffering. Using a qualitative research design and content analysis, the study evaluates themes related to caregiving burden, caregiver burnout, and compassion-based end-of-life decisions. Findings indicate that elderly spousal caregivers experience substantial physical strain, emotional exhaustion, and insufficient social support, particularly in the absence of strong support systems. Ethical dilemmas such as respecting patient autonomy, ensuring quality of life, managing suffering, and making ethically sensitive end-of-life decisions are central to both narratives. The films reveal the profound emotional conflicts caregivers face as they balance love, responsibility, and their own limitations. The study concludes that strengthening social support systems, enhancing home-care services, and integrating palliative care practices and caregiver support programs may significantly reduce caregiver burden and improve the quality of life of both caregivers and elderly individuals at the end of life. Keywords:

Keywords

Ethical Statement

As this study is based on a content analysis of publicly available films and does not involve human participants, Ethical Committee Approval is not required.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Palliative Care, Aged Health Care

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

May 31, 2026

Submission Date

December 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 2

APA
Acar, Z., Gün Koşar, Y., & Özcan, M. (2026). Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis. Lokman Hekim Dergisi, 16(2), 377-387. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1840935
AMA
1.Acar Z, Gün Koşar Y, Özcan M. Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026;16(2):377-387. doi:10.31020/mutftd.1840935
Chicago
Acar, Zeynep, Yasemin Gün Koşar, and Müesser Özcan. 2026. “Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16 (2): 377-87. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1840935.
EndNote
Acar Z, Gün Koşar Y, Özcan M (May 1, 2026) Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16 2 377–387.
IEEE
[1]Z. Acar, Y. Gün Koşar, and M. Özcan, “Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis”, Lokman Hekim Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 377–387, May 2026, doi: 10.31020/mutftd.1840935.
ISNAD
Acar, Zeynep - Gün Koşar, Yasemin - Özcan, Müesser. “Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16/2 (May 1, 2026): 377-387. https://doi.org/10.31020/mutftd.1840935.
JAMA
1.Acar Z, Gün Koşar Y, Özcan M. Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026;16:377–387.
MLA
Acar, Zeynep, et al. “Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis”. Lokman Hekim Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 377-8, doi:10.31020/mutftd.1840935.
Vancouver
1.Zeynep Acar, Yasemin Gün Koşar, Müesser Özcan. Elderly Caregivers in the Context of the Films Amour and The Leisure Seeker: A Content Analysis. Lokman Hekim Dergisi. 2026 May 1;16(2):377-8. doi:10.31020/mutftd.1840935

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                                                                  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

  

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