A MinnPost panel discussion entitled “Preparing for the ‘Silver Tsunami’ ” drew more than 120 people to the Northrop’s Best Buy Theater at the University of Minnesota last week. Five experts in health care and aging took on the question “How do we better care for Minnesota seniors without breaking the bank?” in the context of the upcoming shift in demographics as baby boomers reach their retirement years.
The discussion was moderated by Susan Albright, MinnPost’s managing editor, and featured the following guest panelists:
- Mary Jo George, associate state director – advocacy for AARP
- State Sen. Tony Lourey, chair of the Health and Human Services Finance Committee
- Gayle Kvenvold, president/CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota
- Dawn Simonson, executive director of Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
- Dr. Thomas Klemond, chair of the Palliative Medicine and Community Care Department at Park Nicollet Health Services.
Below are some video highlights from the event, which was sponsored by UCare, as well as a recording of the full 80-minute discussion.
Gayle Kvenvold: “Boomers are unprepared and unaware” when it comes to eldercare issues.
Mary Jo George: By some measures, Minnesota is No. 1 state for seniors, but it could be much better.
Dr. Thomas Klemond on the negative aspects of a “fighting culture,” and the medical community’s current approach to eldercare.
State Sen. Tony Lourey on the challenge of balancing public resources and personal decisions.
Dawn Simonson on the need to provide support for low-income seniors, who are not poor but could easily be thrust into poverty.
Dr. Thomas Klemond, Susan Albright, and Mary Jo George mention recent innovations in eldercare with the potential to improve life for Minnesota seniors.
And here is a recording of the entire 80-minute discussion:
