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Video Tells Boomer Women, Family Caregivers that They 'Can Can'

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A video written and performed by a baby-boomer who left her career to care for her aging parents is drawing interest from others in similar situations. "The Boomer Can Can" offers humorous reflections and encouragement regarding what many female boomers are experiencing.  

The video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzgCsSugvyE

"The Boomer Can Can" was created by Shannon Ingram, senior director of marketing communications for Silverado Senior Living and Orange County, Calif. board president of WomanSage, a non-profit group that provides support for women in midlife through educational programs and social philanthropy.

Silverado is a sponsor of WomanSage; Ingram and a group of WomanSage members debuted "The Boomer Can Can" at a recent WomanSage conference.

"Women are customarily associated with caregiving and so if aging parents need assistance, daughters rather than sons are most likely expected to take responsibility for it," Ingram said.

 "There is an assumption that women will cut back on their paid work or even interrupt their careers to help.  Later, they can find that reentering the workforce at midlife is very challenging."

Jane Glenn Haas, founder of WomanSage, said: "I think people are startled when this whole issue confronts them.  Many aging parents haven't put plans in place and it's hard for their children to know what they want.  And this is more of a women's issue, because of the expectation that women will be the primary caregivers."

Shannon Ingram gave up a position in corporate travel to care for her mother and stepfather for three years.  

Her caregiving experience then led her to change careers and join Silverado Senior Living, which provides assisted living for people with Alzheimer's and other memory-impairing diseases, care management, home care, and hospice care.  

She also authored the book "The Heart Way: A Journey From Corporate To Care" to share what she had learned and encourage others.  

"With the video 'The Boomer Can Can,' the goal is to convey in a lighthearted way something that is very important, which is that people in stressful situations should stay focused on the present and try to appreciate the things that can be enjoyed right now," Ingram said.  

"This is hard for baby-boomers, because many of us have grown up thinking we can do everything, and that we can do it all at once.  Accepting that we can't is difficult."

Loren Shook, founder, president and CEO of Silverado Senior Living, said: "Providing excellent care to memory-impaired people includes offering support to their families and letting them know they are not alone in this situation.

This video is another way to spread that important message."

Silverado Senior Living is based in Irvine, Calif. and operates in 34 locations across California, Texas,Utah, and Arizona. Its website is www.Silveradosenior.com.

WomanSage is also based in Irvine, Calif.  Its website is www.womansage.org.