The Timer of Home Support Workers
Guillaume Terver
2011 - 52 min - HDV - Couleur - France

Helping an elderly or handicapped person to their feet, taking them in your arms, and helping them move from one spot to another. Holding their hand. Encouraging them. Watching the clock, hurrying to take to the road, rushing along. Arriving at a new residence, at a new patient's home. Preparing their meal, helping them to get washed and dressed. With no indifference or scorn. Talking, laughing, listening. Without "getting attached". Closing the door. Leaving.
And then starting over and over again, in other places. Cleaning house without disturbing the old photographs. Keeping company with a person sometimes right up to death's door. With feeling and caring, and without losing your sense of self. Going home to find your family and friends, to talk, to laugh and share. Doing your housework and cooking. Going to bed without thinking about…
Understanding the reality of a profession that is as difficult as it is misunderstood, as despised as it is necessary, by walking in the footsteps of several home support workers as they carry out their daily duties.