As our country's population ages, many adults are grappling with an unprecedented social, cultural, economic, and personal revolution as they become the primary caregivers for their aging parents. With family members now responsible for 80 percent of caregiving for older adults in the United States, nearly every generation is feeling the ripple effects of the aging process.

The reality of caring for aging family members has touched more than a dozen of WSIU's own staff in a profound way, says David Kidd, producer of WSIU InFocus: Helping Older Adults.

"Many of our WSIU staff have provided or are currently providing medical advocacy and hands-on care for aging parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other loved ones," says Kidd. "By putting a local face on the caregiving issue, we're hoping people will get a better understanding of just how many families in their midst are impacted by it. We'll be offering a phone bank staffed by area professionals during the broadcast, so viewers are encouraged to call for information, referrals, and support."

People who find themselves serving as caregivers soon discover that it is not only a demanding role, but frequently complex, which can be emotionally and physically exhausting, says Vickie Devenport, a WSIU outreach coordinator and director of the Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS).

"The process of learning how to advocate for parents who cannot speak for themselves is a daunting one that doesn't come with instructions," she says. "I've come to realize that I have to be constantly aware of all aspects of my aging parents' care, from the medications they receive, to who is prescribing it, and how those medications are being monitored."

Choosing a doctor can also be a challenge for caregivers, says Devenport, whose mother has been hospitalized several times this year for age-related conditions and whose father also has struggled with health issues in recent months. "The most difficult part of the process for our family has been finding a doctor who knows how to treat, respect, and properly care for our parents."

For more information about WSIU's local related programming, and local caregiving initiatives, contact Vickie Devenport at (618) 453-6148 or via this contact form. Additional details about Caring For Your Parents and links to other resources can be found at www.pbs.org/caringforyourparents.

Those interested in ordering a DVD copy of WSIU InFocus: Helping Older Adults or other local WSIU programming should contact Susan Patrick at (618) 453-6184 or contact us via this customer service form.