Sherry Saturno's Human Investment: A Short Film with a Huge Message

There are lots of people in our community who have made careers out of investing money, but what drives some people towards a career focused on investing in other people? Human investment jobs are challenging, often require a higher degree, and sometimes lack the gratification we all seek in a job and a career. All of us depend on people who chose a profession that centers around helping others- social workers, educators, nurses and doctors for example. Local social worker and now award-winning film maker Sherry Saturno created and produced a short, educational film about what motivates these professionals to dedicate themselves to the humanity of care, including working with the elderly and the sick.

Sherry Saturno, LCSW, DCSW is the Director of Social Services at Sprain Brook Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Scarsdale. She is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and holds Master's degrees from Columbia and Long Island Universities. She completed a national Palliative and End of Life Care Fellowship at New York University Silver School of Social Work, a certification in Aging Studies at Boston University's Center for Aging, Disability Education, and Research, and is a Stanford Certified Project Manager. "Human Investment" won the 2016 national award for Best Documentary Film via the National Association of Social Workers.

I had a chance to speak with Ms. Saturno and learn more about human investment, her experiences as a social worker with the elderly and the sick, and her important film.

What motivated you to create this film?
I was inspired to create this film to explore what motivates professionals to invest themselves in the humanity of care. Human Investment tells a unique story. Social workers, nurses, physicians, and educators are all heroes in a million different ways, and the work they do often goes unnoticed. I wanted to highlight how caring and supportive these professionals are, and why their work speaks volumes about the humanity of care. Working with an elderly population has shown me what courage really is and helped me recognize that all any of us have is the present moment.

As people continue to live longer, the burden on the younger generations to help the older will continue to increase. Tell me more about this and the type of discussion your film is generating because of this.

Physician David Horning touches upon that concept in the film when he questions the value society places on a life at age eighty as opposed to age twenty. Adults are caught between caring for their children and their elderly parents, and making difficult decisions about allocating financial resources for both. This issue will only increase exponentially as the senior population in the United States dramatically surges in our lifetime and we need to keep the discussion in progress.

Please talk a bit about "elder hood" and this little talked about stage of life. Why is it important to acknowledge?
I think it is important to acknowledge elder hood and redefine aging. Our ability to live longer, healthier lives is a great achievement but there is so much fear around aging. What if we were to change that perspective and view each year as a gift? Elders can lead a life of connection, engagement, possibility and expansion. We can accomplish this by spending time with people of different generations who have divergent points of view. Having friends of all ages connects us in an empathetic manner. We don't stop growing and learning just because we are getting older. There is so much valuable wisdom that elders can impart on a younger generation, just as seniors can benefit from being open to new ideas from people younger than them.

Why do people choose careers in human investment? Why SHOULD people consider careers in human investment?
People choose careers in human investment usually because they have an affinity for helping others and want to make a difference in others' lives. People should consider these careers if they feel strongly about connecting with others in a meaningful way. These bonds may form in difficult times such as family crises or serious illnesses and can have a lasting impact. This type of work brings comfort and support to people who have outlived their families, are alone, and have no one to advocate for them. It is an indescribably important role for a humane and just society.

I was intrigued to see your interview with Michael Cohen, the "Must Have Play" founder who builds playgrounds and community spaces. He talked about the benefit that certain playground designs can have for older adults to help combat social isolation. Do you see this trend happening around Westchester at all?

Westchester County has abundant services geared towards elders, including physical activities, arts and continuing education. I think the trend for outdoor community spaces targeting seniors will continue to grow. Meanwhile, there are many ways for seniors to remain engaged in the local community. Terrific Tuesdays, for example, is a program in Scarsdale that includes trips, lectures, and social gatherings during the week for seniors ages 60 and up.

The Scarsdale Public Library is hosting a community screening of Human Investment on Sunday, December 18, 2016, from 2pm-4pm.

Or, catch the film on your own time using this link: