Helping those who provide aid to others

Caregivers who assist aging relatives will find a vast array of services -- and knowledgeable advice -- at the two-day event at the State Fairgrounds.

By WARREN WOLFE, Star Tribune

Last update: May 7, 2008 - 11:37 PM

The calls from frantic caregivers of older people come to social service agencies every day -- dad got lost while driving, or mom won't seem to eat, or I need to find a good nursing home fast.¶ For the first time in Minnesota, hundreds of experts from government, nonprofit agencies and businesses will offer presentations and workshops at an Elder Care Expo Friday and Saturday at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights.¶ "When you look at this, it's pretty darned comprehensive," said Jean Wood, executive director of the Minnesota Board on Aging, which funnels state and federal money to local agencies.¶ "Most of the expos I'm aware of are pretty commercial. This one is a lot more oriented to services and advice," she said. "I don't know of anything like it anywhere, which is what attracted us to be part of it."¶ More than 600,000 Minnesotans -- nearly one in five adults -- help older friends or relatives with transportation, finances, cleaning, health care or other aspects of care. Overall, families provide more than 90 percent of home-care services to older adults, the Department of Human Services estimates.¶ Hennepin and Ramsey county public-health nurses and social workers will offer short consultations for people who want assistance with specific situations, and the Minnesota Senior Federation will distribute free copies of its new caregiver resource guide.

HERE ARE SOME DETAILS

WHAT IT IS

The Elder Care Expo is aimed at older people and their caregivers who need to solve problems now or are planning for the future.

WHEN

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

WHERE

Education Building at the State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av., Falcon Heights. Parking is free.

COST

$8 each day, with half-price tickets available from some retail stores.

PRESENTATIONS

More than 40 sessions each day will cover such topics as Medicare, adult day programs, dealing with debt, legal issues, home health care, long-term care insurance, nursing homes and assisted living.

EXHIBITORS

More than 100 services for long-term care, state and county human services, financial, medical and other services.

FOR MORE DETAILS

Go to www.choosingeldercare.com or call 651-204-0266.

Warren Wolfe • 612-673-7253

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