A Dignified Life: Providing for Long Term Care

Demand for long term care will increase with the aging of Minnesota's population. Over the next decade, many families will face the challenge of providing a dignified and appropriately independent lifestyle for their elderly or disabled loved ones.

Much of the burden for long term care falls on the Medicare system and private insurance policies. Both the government and private insurers tend to favor institutional care over home-based services, while aging American's are demanding more choices in how — and where — they receive services.

The complex personal and financial decisions concerning long term care will be the subject of a town hall event at The UBS Forum. Participants will include care providers and recipients as well as concerned members of the general public. MPR's Lorna Benson will host the discussion.

Panelists:

Kevin Goodno is the chair of the law firm Fredrikson & Byron's Government Relations practice and served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 2003–2006.

Dr. Robert Kane is the director of the University of Minnesota's Center of Aging and is recognized internationally as a leading researcher in the areas of acute and long term care.

Kathryn Roberts is the CEO of Ecumen, Minnesota's largest nonprofit senior housing company and former vice president of the Minneapolis Foundation.