ElderLink St. Louis bringing national expert to West County, free program focuses on caring for elderly

Jane Gross, a New York Times blogger, columnist and author who is considered a national expert on issues related to caring for aging loved ones, will be in town this weekend to speak at a free event. ElderLink St. Louis is presenting the program.

“Caring for Our Aging Loved Ones … And Ourselves” will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur.

Gross is the creator of “The New Old Age” blog and author of the book  “A Bittersweet Season:  Caring for Our Aging Parents . . . and Ourselves.”

Steve Singer, chair of the event committee, called Gross’ book “required reading for anyone over the age of 55.”

“When I read Jane’s book, I was impressed by the way she captures the problems faced by Baby Boomers as their parents age,” Singer said. “The information she shares is invaluable on everything from emotional, familial, financial and physical stress to navigating the assisted and skilled living maze.”

The book has received many favorable reviews and has been lauded as a helpful guide for dealing with the decline of Baby Boomers’ parents and for offering valuable insight into the needs of both generations.By detailing her own experiences, Gross enables readers to identify with her message, find coping mechanisms for themselves as caregivers and discern ways to enrich the lives of their elderly parents.

Following Gross’ keynote address, a panel of local experts on aging will present a seminar to help children of older adults with issues they might be facing in regards to caring for their parents.

Reporter Paul Schankman of Fox 2 News will moderate the discussion, and panel members will include Debra K. Schuster, elder law attorney; Rabbi Elizabeth Hersch, Jewish Family & Children’s Service community chaplain; and Marcia Mermelstein, ElderLink St. Louis senior information and referral specialist.

ElderLink St. Louis is presenting the program free of charge. Reservations are not required. For more information, call (314) 812-9300.