By the year 2030, the number of individuals over 65 years of age needing long-term care services will double to approximately 12 million. Experts warn that our aging population will triple the country's economic burden for long term care services, which could escalate as high as $346 billion (adjusted for inflation) in the next 30 years. Will there be sufficient resources and an effective service system available in 2030, when the elderly population will be well on its way to double what it is today?

Independent filmmaker and nationally-known intergenerational author, James V. Gambone has produced a short, 10-minute dramatic "thought film", The Journey Home, which presents a provocative yet controversial vision of elder care in the year 2030. He will screen the film during the upcoming Seniors Spring Show, April 6-7, 2010 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel (www.101expos.com), and lead a discussion afterwards. Making her film debut is star Marian Adcock, a former Ms. Minnesota Senior America Pageant contestant. The Journey Home has been entered into 12 national and international film contests.

Co-produced with St. Paul-based Seraphim Communications, and with an original music score by internationally recognized composer Owen Burdick, the film's purpose is not only to make people aware of an impending demographic crisis in elder care, but more importantly, to get them involved in creating a new vision for how we will be taken care of near the end of our lives.

"Neither our politicians, or the elder care industry have put much thought or planning into dealing with a demographic time bomb," says Dr. Gambone. "To put it into perspective, as the Baby Boomer generation enters the year 2030, over 30 percent of our population will move towards either semi-dependent or fully dependent living conditions. There are no comprehensive plans at any level of government, or in the private sector, to take care of the numbers of aging Boomers that will flood the elder care system in 20 years." 

Shot primarily in high definition black and white, (with a surprise color montage) the film brings viewers into a sterile nursing home environment that is void of warmth and color, but a place where interesting technology and drugs replace a strong social and personal network; it is a world where one can exist but not necessarily fully live.

The Journey Home is a poignant story of purpose and possibility and creates an opportunity to discuss the future of eldercare, intergenerational values, quality of life and the potential outcomes of critical planning that needs to begin today.

What kind of elder care is in your future? This simple question appears at the end of the film. It seems like a question with a straightforward answer: surrounded by loved ones, visited by friends and family, stimulated mentally and physically, fed well and provided ample medical care to ease the aging body's frustrations.

"The future of elder care is considered a political graveyard, so our leaders choose to ignore it. We are entering a situation where our social structures are going to dramatically change, the elder care system will be flooded, and we are not preparing for it," comments Gambone.

This short film was created to elicit dialogue between professionals, planners, consumers, students and family members regarding these key issues. At its heart, The Journey Home is designed to be a film calling people to action and to the realization that the year 2030 is not so far off. www.thejourneyhome.com

Benefiting underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer. Mid-America Events & Expos, producers of the Seniors Spring Show, is donating 50 percent of all ticket sales from its 2010 expos to Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, which will also be given a booth at each show.

Visit www.101expos.com to Shop at the Show before you go. Admission is $3 with the half price coupon available at www.101expos.com, and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. More information is on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

This year's Seniors Spring Show is made possible in part by 5 Eyewitness News, KSTC Channel 45, KLBB, Humana, Best of Times and CoroWise™ Brand Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer.

Media Note: To view the trailer for The Journey Home, visit www.vimeo.com/8895440. To schedule an interview with filmmaker James Gambrone, contact Media Relations at 612-798-7240.

Biography – Dr. James V. Gambone
Dr. James V. Gambone is one of the country's leading authorities on ReFirement-Not Retirement, and generational and intergenerational relationships. His books and articles are currently being used by business, community and faith leaders to help them understand differences between generations, and then go beyond that, to help generations work more productively together.  Besides being a leader in the intergenerational field, Jim is an award winning film and television writer, producer and director. His latest film, The Journey Home deals with the future of elder care in the U.S. Finally Jim's newest book, ReFirement: A Guide To Midlife and Beyond has been well received by Boomers across the country. It asks the important question to America's largest generation: "What will you do with the third act of your life?"

Jim lives with his wife and two border collie working sheep dogs in Orono, MN.