"Caregiving Solutions" is an hour-long look at the challenges people face when caring for a frail elder family member.

Aired Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 10 pm.

New Jersey residents are living longer, but longevity doesn't equal freedom from illness. As the state's older population grows, so too does the need for people to care for our elders. Only a small percentage of the frail elder population - 5 percent - is cared for in nursing homes. Of the rest, some are living in congregate housing with varying degrees of assistance; the great majority are being cared for at home. The task of caring for the elderly is monumental; a 24/7 challenge for all who undertake this most loving responsibility. Caregiving Solutions offers practical help to New Jersey caregivers facing this challenge. Kent Manahan hosts.

In three videotaped segments, viewers will see what happens from the time an elder person needs basic care, to the time when there is a need for more intensive care. A panel of experts in the fields of aging, medicine, and caregiver assistance will discuss issues and problems related to caregiving and, most importantly, they'll provide information crucial to negotiating the network of health care and community-based programs available to caregivers, including programs to help caregivers care for themselves.

Our studio panel of experts includes New Jersey Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Clifton Lacy. Other panelists include geriatricians, day care providers, and experts on estate planning and advance medical directives.

The program is funded in part by The Grotta Foundation for Senior Care with additional funding provided by The Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement.