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As the population ages, many adult children are grappling with an unprecedented social, cultural, economic and personal revolution as they become the primary caregivers for their aging parents.

Caring for Your Parents, airing April 2 at 8 p.m. on KUED-Channel 7, draws much-needed attention to this widespread reality.

Through an intimate look at five American families, the first 90 minutes of the special underscore today's struggle to keep parents at home, the tensions between siblings and the complexity of shifting caregiver roles.

In the end, successful caregiving requires one primary ingredient - love.

KUED Follow-up Program

Immediately after the 90-minute broadcast, KUED will air Hand in Hand: Utah Caregiving, a half-hour discussion with local experts offering concrete advice and guidance on how to start the conversation - often the most difficult step in caregiving.

"Our primary focus is on the ‘sandwich generation,'" says KUED Community Outreach Coordinator Jacqui Voland. "Not only must Utah grapple with a growing aging population, it must also address the needs of an unusually large number of children. As these two populations grow, the burden on the ‘Sandwich generation' will intensify. Failure to address their needs could cripple the state's financial, health and social services resources."

KUED's studio discussion, produced by Elizabeth Southwell, features community and government leaders, health-care industry leaders and other service providers who will inform and educate viewers about the need and resources available in Utah.

The "Sandwich" generation -- those 18 through 65 years of age -- will have the opportunity to call in during both programs for a free resource packet -- providing them with information and resources on how to be more proactive about caregiving. The number to call will be 801 585-LINK. "Whether you're in crisis now, or anticipate a future need, there are resources available to help," says Southwell.

Half-Day Caregiving Conference

Callers also will be able to register for a free half-day conference on June 14 at The City Library in Salt Lake City. A keynote speaker will provide an overview of the issues, followed by a question-and-answer session with experts from the community representing a variety of agencies. Following the keynote, attendees will have the opportunity to further explore issues of current relevance to them, including financial planning, social services, the difficult conversation on how to start talking about the care of aging parents, and the new revisions and updates in advance directive policies. Service vendors will be on hand with free information and resources, as well. In addition, attendees will receive a free breakfast buffet.

KUED will co-host three additional forums throughout the state, in partnership with the Area Agencies on Aging, the Utah Caregiver Coalition and AARP Utah. A companion web site under the KUED Health Matters Initiative will provide direction and information for the Utah community on issues related to caregiving, with links to partner organization web resources. Partners include the Utah Commission on Aging, AARP Utah, Salt Lake County Aging Services and the Utah Caregiver Support Program.

"KUED has a proud history of serving our community, offering health information services that make a huge difference in our viewers' lives," says KUED General Manager Larry S. Smith. "We received an outpouring of response on our program and outreach services surrounding The Forgetting, a major project providing information and resources on Alzheimers. We continue to review our viewers' most pressing needs and address them in a meaningful way."

Major funding for Caring for Your Parents is provided by The Harrah's Foundation. Additional funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers. Funding for KUED's Health Matters outreach is provided in part by WBGH and KUED Speaking of Women's Health.

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