Can our Economy and Health Care System Survive Aging Baby Boomers?

There have been improvements in the Social Security system that includes the introduction of Medicare that has had important effects on the economic well-being of senior citizens in the United States. Today, the percentage of senior citizens with incomes below the poverty line is about 10%. These gains have not been shared by all senior citizens. Poverty rates are higher among certain groups of senior citizens that include:

•Black Americans

•Hispanic Americans

•People who never finished high school

•People living alone

•People 85 and older

•People living in central cites

•People living in rural areas

Level of education among US senior citizens in the future is one of the most dramatic changes. By the year 2030, 83% of seniors will have completed high school. Senior citizens with a bachelor degree or more will have increased to 24%. These changes are significant for health and social service systems because education is closely related to lifetime income, and people with more education generally are in better health and at lower risk of disability. However, the better-educated seniors are expected to be more demanding health care consumers.

Widowhood is much more common among senior citizens due to the fact that women generally live longer than men. Senior citizens who live alone after losing a spouse usually prefer to remain independent and continue living alone as long as health and finances allow it. Even though many of this group of senior citizens have families or friends nearby they are still more likely than those who live with others to feel lonelier and more isolated.

Average life expectancy in the United States is currently highest for white women, followed by black women, white men, and black men. As an average, women who live until age 65 can expect to live to age 84. Those who live to age 85 can expect live to age 92. The number of people living to age 100 in the United States is certainly growing.

Disability and diseases are much more common in senior citizens than in people younger than 65. Common chronic conditions among senior citizens include:

•Arthritis

•High blood pressure

•Heart disease

•Diabetes

•Lung disease

•Stroke

•Cancer

•Hip fractures

•Parkinson’s Disease

•Alzheimer’s disease

•Dementia

An increase in the senior citizen population means more health care expense, and the likelihood of having more than one disease among senior citizens also increases. Among people age 65 and older, 30% have three or more chronic diseases. Having more than one disease complicates care. Sudden change or illness in one body system may stress another body system and make it difficult to interpret symptoms for a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes the symptoms one disease may hide the symptoms of another disease. For example, a person with arthritis may never be physically active enough to show symptoms of heart disease, which makes making the heart disease difficult to recognize.

Senior citizens who need assistance with routine ADLs rely first on family. The use of paid helpers, however, is consistently higher among older adults living alone and increases with age.

On the average, senior citizens go to the doctor more often than younger adults. Senior citizens are also hospitalized more frequently than younger people.

Senior citizens utilize the services of home health care that includes medical treatment, physical therapy and homemaker services more than the younger population. Prescription drugs are a major part of medical treatment. At least 80% of senior citizens take one or more prescribed medicines.

One of the most important, unanswered questions is whether or not our increased lifespan will be filled with good days and years. It is not likely one answer can be applied to all senior citizens because of the great variations in health and functioning from one senior citizen to the next.

Other unanswered questions can only be answered by the passage of time. These questions include:

•Will the increasing numbers of senior citizens with more education and longer lives contribute productively to the larger society?

•Can the health care system handle the greater number of senior citizens?

Some analysts fear the great increase in the numbers of senior citizens from the baby boomer generation of people born between the years of 1940 and 1960 may place a strain on the medical care system and the public programs that finance health care and retirement to the breaking point. What we have on our side is:

•Improvements in health behavior

•Medical breakthroughs

•Financial prosperity

These three may help diminish the threats from the increased senior citizens from the baby boomer generation of people born between the years of 1940 and 1960.

Source: Foundation for Health in Aging

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

By: Connie Limon -

Baby Boomers Aloha: Retiring in Hawaii

With an average temperature of around 75º and a low crime rate, the beautiful tropical paradise of Hawaii draws plenty of interest for retiring baby boomers.  There is enough rainfall in Hawaii to keep it green and colorful all the year round and Hawaii is renowned for its vibrant and abundant flowers.  Definitely up there when it comes to providing retirees with a gentle and civilised retirement haven, Hawaii is encircled with more than 100 top starred beaches and has it all when it comes to outdoor living and an excellent quality of life.

 

There is something magnetic about Hawaii: perhaps the attraction is the climate, encouraging residents to slop around in beach sandals, shorts and brightly flowered shirts and muumuus. For tired and aging executives who have spent their careers battling with the commuter traffic in New York or Chicago and yearn for an absence of pressure, Hawaii has peace and ‘laid back living’ in abundance, all just a plane ride away.

 

On the practical side, there is no way Hawaii could be described as a bargain retirement zone.  Many of the good things in life are free but few of them are on offer in Hawaii!  However, for many baby boomers, cheap retirement is not what they are seeking and they place a premium on good facilities such as good quality health care, excellent social life and a high standard of American styled property in great golf or beachside locations.  Psychological articles rate Hawaii as one of the healthiest locations in the World.

 

Baby boomers tend to seek retirement that offers activity as well as the opportunity to chill out and Hawaii has a wealth of water sports to choose from, including scuba diving; surfing; sailing and spectacular fishing.  The wonderful weather brings out the best in most people and in general there is air of casual hospitality associated with Hawaii.

 

For those who are looking for a little piece of heaven in retirement but do not wish to leave the United States, Hawaii is the place to settle with its unmistakable air of beachside elegance and its beautiful homes that feature wide terraces to make the best of one of the best climates in the World. 

 

Psychological articles tell us that baby boomers determined to stay in the United States in retirement represent a huge part of the Hawaiian community and love the islands and the country club style social life that is part of the Hawaiian lifestyle.

Baby Boomers – The Future Of The Stock Market

You have no doubt heard of the “Baby Boomers”, those individuals born between 1943 and 1963. Following World War II, Australia’s population grew at record levels. Australia was not alone in this phenomenon. The United States, New Zealand and Canada all experienced Baby Booms at a similar time.

The Baby Boomers are an important phenomenon to understand. They have had dramatic effects on society and will substantially impact the way the stock market performs over the next 20 years. For this reason, it is important to understand some of the background on this interesting group of people.

As mentioned, the Baby Boom was experienced in various countries around the world. Part of the reason for the “Boom” was that these countries were immigrant receivers and immigrants tend to be in their 20’s, the prime childbearing years. At its peak in 1957, the US boom hit 3.7 children per family. Canada hit its peak in 1959 with Canadian women averaging 4 offspring each; that was over 479,000 new births that year alone! Australia’s boom was not quite as big as the Canadian or US booms; however, we still have a disproportionate number of people who are today in their 40’s and 50’s. Following the Baby Boom, we had a Baby Bust. Far fewer children were born during the late sixties, leaving Australia with an asymmetrical population graph.

The Baby Bust group, born between 1964 and 1976 are a much smaller group than their predecessors and are commonly referred to as Generation X.

Baby Boomers are a very significant and important group. It is not that, individually, they are any different than any other group who preceded them, it’s just that there are so many of them. Due to their large numbers, Baby Boomers have had a significant impact on our society, making substantial changes as they grew. They have changed the economy, driven housing and other markets and transformed social attitudes and lifestyles.

In Australia and North America today, the fastest growing industries, apart from technology, are financial management, leisure activities and health care. It is very easy to see why. Boomers have been working all their adult lives, usually for someone else. They have raised their children and are now focusing on their retirement. They have had a magnificent time. They have not endured wars, or a depression like their parents and grandparents. They have enjoyed fantastic luxuries such as cars, world holidays and computers. They have been at the forefront of the age of discovery.

Unfortunately, the majority have not prepared themselves financially for their retirements, believing instead that like their parents, they would enjoy a comfortable pension from their employers and/or government. The stark realities are now coming to light. Everybody, especially the Boomers, must take responsibility for their financial futures. Our government will simply not be in a position to provide adequate pension incomes for a growing number of retirees. Today, for every person who is retired, there are four people working, providing income to the government. By 2025, there will be only 2 people working for every retiree. What’s more, the Boomers, as they start to retire, will live longer than any group before them, well into their 70’s and 80’s on average. As a result, it is up to each of us as individuals to take responsibility of our own personal financial planning.

The Australian government has made substantial improvements and preparations for the growing populations. They have introduced a compulsory superannuation scheme which all employers and employees must participate in and which is gradually rising in required contributions, but it will be too little, too late. The key to investment growth is time, a luxury many Boomers no longer possess.

Consider this fact, that at a return of 8% per annum, net of tax, an investment of $30,000 would require over 15 years to triple in value, not even considering the effects of inflation. Most investment strategies commonly promoted to the public boast returns of 4% to 10% per annum. We often see managed funds, superannuation schemes, bank term deposits and property investments offering such results. Many people consider these returns appropriate and even good! Unfortunately, many members of the public require a much greater return on their investments to adequately improve their financial positions before they retire (if they can ever afford to!).

In future issues we will explore ways of generating high returns and how to self manage your own super.

Baby Boomers – the Future of the Market

You have no doubt heard of the “Baby Boomers”, those individuals born between 1943 and 1963.

Following World War II, Australia’s population grew at record levels. Australia was not alone in this phenomenon. The United States, New Zealand and Canada all experienced Baby Booms at a similar time.

The Baby Boomers are an important phenomenon to understand. They have had dramatic effects on society and will substantially impact the way the stock market performs over the next 20 years. For this reason, it is important to understand some of the background on this interesting group of people.

As mentioned, the Baby Boom was experienced in various countries around the world. Part of the reason for the “Boom” was that these countries were immigrant receivers and immigrants tend to be in their 20’s, the prime childbearing years.

At its peak in 1957, the US boom hit 3.7 children per family. Canada hit its peak in 1959 with Canadian women averaging 4 offspring each; that was over 479,000 new births that year alone! Australia’s boom was not quite as big as the Canadian or US booms; however, we still have a disproportionate number of people who are today in their 40’s and 50’s. Following the Baby Boom, we had a Baby Bust. Far fewer children were born during the late sixties, leaving Australia with an asymmetrical population graph.

The Baby Bust group, born between 1964 and 1976 are a much smaller group than their predecessors and are commonly referred to as Generation X.

Baby Boomers are a very significant and important group. It is not that, individually, they are any different than any other group who preceded them; it’s just that there are so many of them. Due to their large numbers, Baby Boomers have had a significant impact on our society, making substantial changes as they grew. They have changed the economy, driven housing and other markets and transformed social attitudes and lifestyles.

In Australia and North America today, the fastest growing industries, apart from technology, are financial management, leisure activities and health care. It is very easy to see why. Boomers have been working all their adult lives, usually for someone else. They have raised their children and are now focusing on their retirement. They have had a magnificent time. They have not endured wars, or a depression like their parents and grandparents. They have enjoyed fantastic luxuries such as cars, world holidays and computers. They have been at the forefront of the age of discovery.

Unfortunately, the majority have not prepared themselves financially for their retirements, believing instead that like their parents, they would enjoy a comfortable pension from their employers and/or government.

The stark realities are now coming to light. Everybody, especially the Boomers, must take responsibility for their financial futures. Our government will simply not be in a position to provide adequate pension incomes for a growing number of retirees. Today, for every person who is retired, there are four people working, providing income to the government. By 2025, there will be only 2 people working for every retiree. What’s more, the Boomers, as they start to retire, will live longer than any group before them, well into their 70’s and 80’s on average. As a result, it is up to each of us as individuals to take responsibility of our own personal financial planning.

The Australian government has made substantial improvements and preparations for the growing populations. They have introduced a compulsory superannuation scheme that all employers and employees must participate in and which is gradually rising in required contributions, but it will be too little, too late. The key to investment growth is time, a luxury many Boomers no longer possess.

Consider this fact, that at a return of 8% per annum, net of tax, an investment of $30,000 would require over 15 years to triple in value, not even considering the effects of inflation. Most investment strategies commonly promoted to the public boast returns of 4% to 10% per annum. We often see managed funds, superannuation schemes, bank term deposits and property investments offering such results. Many people consider these returns appropriate and even good! Unfortunately, many members of the public require a much greater return on their investments to adequately improve their financial positions before they retire (if they can ever afford to!).

In future issues we will explore ways of generating high returns and how to self manage your own super, one of our upcoming seminars!

© Platinum Pursuits 2006. All rights reserved.

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Top 6 Fitness Tips for Baby Boomers and Older Adults

The age of the baby boomer is upon us and this feisty group of retirees are more active than any other retired generation. The key to keeping them active and happy is to offer fitness tips that are worth their time and fun to accomplish. Here are the top 6 fitness tips for baby boomers:

1. Listen to your body. As the body ages, it tends to take longer to recover. The key to keeping active well into your aging years is to listen to what your body is telling you. Some activities of your youth may be too strenuous for the body as you age, but that does not mean you can not adjust those activities to be less taxing on the body. The aches and pains associated with fitness are the body telling you that it needs to rest.

2. Keep the doctor informed. Your doctor needs to have all of the information pertaining to your body. When visiting the doctor, tell them about your fitness program and how the exercise makes you feel. Write down the program you are following just in case some of the aches you are feeling can be explained more easily by the actions and daily activities you are choosing.

3. Keep it social. As the years add up, older adults tend to be less social than they once were. This isolation can make exercise programs a bore and they are they just left to the way side for other activities. Including a friend on a daily walk can keep your life full of the social interaction needed to stay happy and fight off depression.

4. Push yourself. but not too hard, Even the baby boomer needs to sweat, but that does not mean pushing yourself beyond the limits of comfortable. During a workout you should still be able to talk in complete sentences and not be totally out of breath.

5. Get a pet. Motivation is one of the major problems with an exercise or fitness program for the aging adult. A pet can help. Walking a dog every day is exercise and dogs, as well as other pets, are known to be beneficial on the health of older people in many ways. Keeping that dog active will be keeping you active and that is the sole purpose of a fitness program.

6. Be happy. Exercise should be something that is fun and enjoyable. When a program becomes stale or boring, that program will no longer be something the baby boomer wants to do. Don’t be afraid to change the program and add fun, exciting events to your day. Just because you are aging does not mean you have to stop living life.

Fitness for the baby boomer is an important part of staying healthy for many more years. The human body needs activity to stay healthy and the baby boomer needs fun to stay interested in the fitness program. Keeping these tips in mind when starting an exercise or fitness routine will make that time all the more a part of your aging life for today, tomorrow and well into the future.

Oh Baby: Retiring Boomers Changing the Face of the Country

The much-trumpeted news played across headlines and TV reports at the beginning of 2006: let all the world know the oldest Baby Boomers were turning 60. This was it: the “graying of America” we’d all heard so much about, and the herald of the impending retirement of the flower children, the “Me Generation,” the varied souls that Leonard Steinhorn called “The Greater Generation.”

Beyond the headlines, the real work of preparing for a historically unprecedented influx of senior citizens began. Some of it was unpleasant: President Bush’s warnings of an impending Social Security failure hit a wall of opposition, and prospects of increased healthcare costs brought grumbling across the country. Most of it, though, was methodical, and Boomers and the rest of the country took it in stride. So we’ve become accustomed to discussions about health and lifestyle changes, burgeoning retirement communities and endless Rolling Stones tours, and, above all, to musings on the best ways to stay young.

Baby Boomers cherish youth; they agonize over health this is the generation that introduced the fad diet and methods and products that help to preserve it, from yoga to antioxidants, earn special reverence. New products geared toward the changing lives of Baby Boomers spring up each day, often using the internet to find a market among this literate, results-driven generation. The internet, in fact, has become the primary source for many of the popular new products and services that are easing the Baby Boomers’ transition to retirement, and helping them to lead full and active lives.

Baby Boomers have helped to vault what might otherwise have been niche products to extraordinary success. Products like the Owl Optical Wallet Light, which sells on the World Wide Web, have seen their sales soar. The Owl Optical Wallet Light, a combination light and magnifier the size of a credit card, has become the indispensable companion to Baby Boomers in dark restaurants across the country. The Owl Optical Wallet Light has been drafted into service for reading menus, pill containers, instruction manuals, and maps, both by day and by night. Its combined functions light and magnification help to prevent eye strain, and that’s a boon to users of any age.

The Baby Boomers have helped to define the country’s direction for decades. Now a new assortment of products and technologies is helping to keep them with us, and in top shape. Products like the Owl Optical Wallet Light promise a clear, bright transition to a new decade of life for the Baby Boom Generation.

Jeff Marshall is a freelance writer dedicated to providing thorough and accurate information to readers. Additional information on the Owl Optical Wallet Light is available at www.theowllight.com.

Retiring Boomers Will Find More Advantages in Rocky Point Mexico

Everyday more people join the ranks of retirees living like royalty on tiny budgets in Mexico . Mexico is the preferred location for Americans living abroad. Twenty five percent of one million of the four million Americans living abroad live in Mexico and why not! You can trade in your suburban home in the U.S. for a seaside estate south of the border, live in elegance with beautiful expansive views in a relaxed lifestyle. In Mexico you can easily afford the help that makes this style of living easy.

By 2011 the first wave of baby boomers will retire, that’s approximately 78 million people. Most of these retirees can modestly retire in the U.S, or live amazingly better in Mexico . Currently there are 25,000 North Americans retiring each year. Rocky Point, Mexico is expected to be one of the leaders in Mexico’s growing retirement migration destinations.

One of the attributes that is credited for these numbers is that its relaxed and refreshing atmosphere is so close to the border. As investors consider what is important for them in retirement, the proximity to the border is important. Accessibility to an airport, ease of doing business, communication and infrastructure are also important considerations.

Because the number of retirees is soon to grow exponentially and many will be migrating south, a recent study was done to analyze the demands, travel habits and perception of Mexico as a tourist destination in Americans over 50. The study was conducted by the council for the promotion of tourist for Mexico .

The list below is what was deduced, and is partly why so many savvy investors are looking here now.

1 the cost of living is lower
2 the weather is better, escaping cold climates
3 the economic and political climates are stable
4 healthcare is excellent and affordable
5 English is widely spoken
6 foreigners can own, buy and sell property
7 its close proximity to the U.S.
8 a mix of varying activities from passive to more vigorous
9 share differing cultures, people and art
10 beauty of surroundings
11 reliving previous satisfactory experiences

If anybody is even considering investing in a retirement community, home or destination, they just need to spend a little time here in Puerto Penasco to realize this is it. With beautiful beaches, sunsets and so much more visual candy, coupled with the lifestyle opportunities here, this little town is simply inspiring.

The research involved in making the most important decision for your retirement is so simple. Come to Puerto Penasco, take your shoes off and stroll on the beach at sunset. But then realistically spend a little more time here, talk to people who live here and enjoy your homework.

Author: Steve Schwab

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