PRESS RELEASE:

Due to the overwhelming response to the KUED broadcast of Caring for Your Parents, KUED will rebroadcast the PBS program Wednesday, June 4, at 11 p.m. The program was viewed by more than 10,000 households during its original broadcast in April, with more than 700 viewers calling the station to request free resource packets during KUED's locally produced follow-up, Hand in Hand: Utah Caregiving.

"To touch viewers the way we did was very gratifying," says KUED Community Outreach Coordinator Jacqui Voland. "Grappling with the realities of a growing aging population is a pressing issue in Utah -- as it is around the country. So many people in the 'sandwich generation' are looking for resources and help. Whether they're in crisis now, or anticipate a future need, KUED wants to provide resources to help."

Viewers can visit www.kued.org/caregiving for more local resources and to request the free caregiver packets on how to be more proactive in caregiving. They also may call 585-LINK and leave a message with name, address and phone number to receive a packet.

Callers can also register for a free half-day conference Hand In Hand:Utah Caregiving on June 14, at The Salt Lake City Library. Registration is available by visiting www.kued.org/caregiving or by calling 801-581-6163. Conference highlights include a keynote address by Elinor Ginzler, co-author of Caring for Your Parents: The Complete Guide. Three breakout sessions include: "The Paper Trail," which addresses the paperwork and planning associated with caregiving, such as living wills, advanced directives, Medicare and Social Security filing; "Caregiving 101," the day-to-day issues that arise, such as in-home nursing support, respite, agency support; and "Physician Forum," with experts in medical fields related to caregiving. A physician, specializing in geriatric care, a palliative care specialist, pharmacist and home-nursing support specialist, will participate on this panel.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to schedule an appointment with a social worker or pharmacist in a one-on-one, 20-minute session. The final panel of the day will provide attendees an opportunity to ask questions not already addressed at a panel moderated by keynote Elinor Ginzler. For further information, visit www.kued.org/caregiving

KUED has co-hosted 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 and The Salt Lake City Library.

"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 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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