Today, one in five adults is responsible for managing some aspect of finances and/or healthcare of a family member who is 65 or older, and approximately 80 percent of home-care services are provided by family caregivers. Non-professional caregivers are a critical part of the health care system in the United States. In Minnesota, family members provide 95 percent of all caregiving for older adults living in the community and there are an estimated 610,000 caregivers in our state.

The Senior Federation Health Plan Information Center has helped caregivers on and off over the years in trying to help their loved ones. To further help caregivers, the Senior Federation has recently published an exciting new publication called Caregiving Choices: a Minnesota Elder-care Resource Guide. This document is a companion document to the Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare publication. In this new publication, you will find information on caregiving at home, in nursing homes, at adult day service centers and in assisted living and senior housing. In addition, it includes a directory providing handy reference to crucial resources.

This new publication is free to Minnesota Senior Federation members and $5 for non-members to cover shipping and handling. To receive your copy, call 651/645-0261 or toll free, 877/645-0261. A partnership has been forged between the Minnesota Senior Federation and the Elder Care Expo 2008. All Expo attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the new guide.

The Elder Care Expo, new in 2008, will be held May 9 and 10 in the Education Building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. For more information, go to www.choosingeldercare.com or call 651/204-0266. Expo tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

One of the founders of the Elder Care Expo, Julie Groshens, is a caregiver herself. She seemed to have an ideal combination of resources to care for her aging mother - 10 siblings as caretakers; a doctor, a lawyer and a geriatric social worker in the family; and multiple housing options from which to choose. Even with these resources and a carefully considered plan, this was not enough. Her mother experienced three broken hips (including two in one week), staffing issues that added to medical problems, continual shifts in housing to address changing care needs, medication complications, and sudden memory problems. The greatest frustrations and struggles, though, have resulted from the bureaucracy of the elder care system, which culminated in a letter sent from the government telling the family members their mother was dead (she wasn’t).

Groshens wondered how families get through the maze of elder care options without a social-worker sibling to guide them. Nearly everyday, she heard similar stories from colleagues, friends and family. So Groshens decided to form Elder Care Expos, LLC, a Minnesota-based company that produces elder-care resource events for the public.

“Elder Care Expo brings together many of the answers people like us are searching for - in one place,” says Groshens. “This kind of event is desperately needed. We hear stories everyday from people as young as 20-something who are caring for aging and sick parents. Yet they feel like they are alone in facing these challenges and are stressed out about the endless options. They just don’t know where to start finding help.

“Tickets are only $8 per person for attending the expo and more than 90 educational sessions. We have deliberately kept the ticket price low so that those struggling with these issues can get the help they need in an affordable and accessible way,” says Groshens. Elder Care Expo has graciously provided a two-for-one coupon found on page 14 of the print edition for Senior News readers.

Elder Care Expo 2008 is the place to explore the best elder care solutions and providers in Minnesota. The Expo features trusted experts from Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, county social service agencies, and community aging organizations. More than 90 information-packed educational sessions will focus on topics such as elder care basics; understanding insurance, financial and legal issues; navigating home healthcare issues; identifying and choosing the right housing; exploring Medicare Part D choices; and many other important issues. The Expo will showcase leading Minnesota exhibitors who will help people make sense of the options. In addition, participants can receive a free long-term care consultation and leave the expo with a plan. Don’t forget to stop by the Minnesota Senior Federation booth.

For more information on Caregiving Choices or to get your caregiving questions answered, call the Senior Federation Health Plan Information Center at 651/783-5045 or toll free at 866/783-5045.