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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

30 Years Later - Divorce Doubles Burden of Care for Elderly Parents

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009   

FAIRFAX, Va. - An unexpected long-term consequence of the spike in divorces in the 1970s is that many people now have four - or more - elderly parents to care for. Catherine Tompkins is a professor of social work at George Mason University, who specializes in elder care. She says social workers are often an untapped resource for help, especially when care crosses state lines.

"So someone in California may need some help in Virginia, and so what I would do as a social worker is talk to that caregiver in California and connect them with someone at the area agency on aging."

Tompkins says that families are often dispersed throughout the country, requiring caregivers to travel to care for their older parents and step-parents. Overall, Virginia's older population is on a par with the national average, with about 12 percent of its population being over the age of 65.

Tompkins says there's a great need for more social workers in the state.

"There's a huge deficit. There's definitely not enough trained social workers to work in gerontology."

Social workers help seniors with advanced care planning, Alzheimer's and dementia issues, long-term care and nutrition - anything that's necessary to keep them living well and fulfilled.

For more information go to www.naswva.org


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