Due to the overwhelming response to the KUED broadcast of Caring for Your Parents, KUED will rebroadcast the program Monday, April 7 at 11:00 p.m. The program was viewed by more than 10,000 households. More than 500 viewers called the station to request free resource packets during Wednesday night's broadcast.
The program brings much-needed attention to the widespread reality of adult children grappling with an unprecedented social, cultural, economic and personal revolution as they become the primary caregivers for their aging parents. 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.
KUED will rebroadcast its own locally produced half-hour discussion with local experts immediately following Caring for Your Parents. Hand in Hand: Utah Caregiving offers concrete advice and guidance on how to start the conversation - often the most difficult step in caregiving. The studio discussion features community and government leaders, health-care industry leaders and other service providers who talk about the need and resources available in Utah.
Both the national and local productions can be viewed on line at www.kued.org/caregiving.
Many viewers said the programs made them feel less alone. One viewer sent an email thanking KUED for the programs. "I'm not yet a caregiver for my parents, but likely will be within the next 5-10 years and the prospect is less daunting when I have basic information and know where to go for more. I plan to bring up the topic with my siblings now and we can start talking about roles and expectations before we begin scattering to the far corners of the earth."
"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 also can register for a free half-day conference on June 14 at The City Library in Salt Lake City. 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 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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