As the population ages, many adults are grappling with an unprecedented social, economic and personal revolution as they transition into the primary caregiver role for their aging parents. With family members now responsible for 80 percent of eldercare in the United States, nearly every generation is feeling the ripple effects of the aging process and looking for resources that will help them manage.

The first 90 minutes of the television program looks at the caregiving process through the experiences of five American families from varying cultural and economic backgrounds. The documentary exposes struggles to keep parents at home, shows the impact of caregiving on marriages and reveals the financial repercussions of eldercare. Through the stories of these families, viewers glimpse the emotional and physical effects of caregiving that often go unnoticed. Heartbreaking stories explore the decision to stop driving, loss of independence and friction between caregivers and medical professionals.

Immediately after the 90-minute documentary, medical correspondent Dr. Art Ulene leads “A Conversation About Caring.” This half-hour panel discussion offers concrete advice and guidance on how to start the conversation -- often the most difficult step in caregiving. The panel of experts includes Newsweek columnist Jane Bryant Quinn; best-selling author of "Passages," Gail Sheehy; AARP Publications editor-in-chief and co-author of "Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide," Hugh Delehanty; renowned physician Dr. Cora Christiansen; and leading eldercare expert Dr. Bill Thomas.

***********************************

NET received grant funding to undertake a variety of outreach activities across the state with partners including Nebraska AARP; Nebraska Caregiver Coalition; the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging; CIMRO of Nebraska (the state's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization); and the Nebraska Aging Enrichment Coalition. Caregiver resource fairs and screenings are set for Omaha, Hastings, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Columbus, Fremont, and York. In addition, a live theatrical presentation on aging issues will be presented in several communities.