– 4-Part Series Covers Key Issues Facing Granite Staters As We Age –
(DURHAM, October 24, 2011) – Do you worry about the long-term care that you or a loved one will receive? For Geri and Tim Gormley of Bow, as well as thousands of others in the Granite State, aging has caused tremendous changes in their lives. In part two of New Hampshire Public Television’s series CHANGING AGING IN THE GRANITE STATE, airing October 27th at 8 p.m. and October 28th at 6 p.m., long-term care planning, as well as the impact aging can have on families, are explored. A recent AARP New Hampshire statewide survey found that this is one of the issues that matter most to people fifty and older. Hosted by Allison McNair, CHANGING AGING IN THE GRANITE STATE explores the struggles and challenges of those navigating New Hampshire’s long term care system. Tim lives with undiagnosed dementia, while his wife Geri cares for him at home. "Our decision is we want to be together, in our own home with as much dignity as possible. We love each other very much, we’ve been married 43 years and just want to be together. We're all adults; we know where this is going. It's not going to be a happy ending,” Geri says.It can be very difficult for people to get the type of care they desire. Rich Crocker, former director of the NH Division of Elderly and Adult Services, explains, “New Hampshire currently spends about 80 percent of its long- term care dollars on nursing homes and about 20 percent on home and community-based services. So, the infrastructure for community and home-based services is much more underdeveloped than the nursing home side of things.” Resources are available at www.nhptv.org/aging, and all the programs are available to watch online anytime. Major funding for CHANGING AGING IN THE GRANITE STATE is provided by AARP New Hampshire.
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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