An award-winning journalist, Virginia
Morris has devoted her career to researching and writing about health care,
medical research and related social and political issues. She lives with her
husband and two children in Sag Harbor, New York.
Virginia Morris' book, "How to Care for Aging Parents" has been featured in
Also featured on The CBS Morning Show, CNN, NPR, Good Morning America, and in
Ladies' Home Journal. The book was also selected a winner of the Best Books for
Life Award.
Speaker Topics
Virginia Morris speaks extensively on issues of eldercare, addressing three
primary audiences:
Daughters, sons and other caregivers need not
only practical tips, but also simple reassurance that they are doing okay, that
their best is good enough. They want solid information on how to help their
parents, but also guidance on how to take care of themselves during this trying
time. Ms. Morris offers both solid advice and tender support.
Doctors, lawyers, staff of long-term care facilities
and other adult services, and others who deal with the elderly and their loved
ones often need a brief refresher course on how to best help families, as well
as some reinforcement that their efforts are much needed and much appreciated.
Perhaps the most important audience right now is
employees across the country. Studies suggest that 12 percent of the workforce
is actively involved in eldercare and that that figure is on the rise. In
addition to their regular workday and home responsibilities, these people are
providing, on average, 18 hours of care a week. Nearly one in five caregivers
provides either “constant care” or more than 40 hours of care each week.
Because of these extra duties, one-fifth of working caregivers give up work
completely or temporarily, and more than half make changes at work to
accommodate their eldercare responsibilities — for example, going in late,
leaving early and taking days off.
Employees who are prepared and educated about eldercare are less apt to be
called away from work because of a crisis, distracted at work, or forced to
leave their jobs. Ms. Morris can help workers prepare for any possible emergency
and schedule their time so that eldercare does not interfere with their work.
