Boomers Over 65, But Not Over the Hill

As a Boomer or Pre-Boomer, who is 65 and over, you are more conscious of your health and well-being than ever before. Gone are the days when you over-indulged in food and alcohol, when you took reckless chances with your safety, and when you ignored your body’s need for exercise. As one of the Lucky Few, you have planned for the future and have your financial house in order. Retired now, as most of you are, you have the luxury of thinking about the meaning and level of happiness of your life.

Throughout the western world, many researchers are tracking your progress through the stages of life, and especially through these later years. In Canada, Dr. Doug Norris (Environics Analytics) consults the census to study your age group, and makes this observation:

Today the oldest Boomers are in their late 60s and entering yet another phase of their lives. Life expectancy at age 65 is now above 20 years and Boomers can expect to live more of these years in relatively good health. Many lifestyle decisions lie ahead: when and if to retire, perhaps continuing to work part-time; downsizing the large family home or, if not, perhaps embarking on some renovations; finally indulging in the time to pursue more leisure activities, like golf or travel. There may be many empty-nest years for Boomer couples but, as ageing takes its toll, there will be an increasing number of health issues and, eventually, the prospect of one spouse or partner, generally the woman, left to live alone–in some cases, for many years.

Like many other researchers, he raises the spectre of Boomers losing their health, of living alone, of being diminished.  We don’t know what lies ahead for us, and we can’t plan for every eventuality, but we do know that we have some control over our health.

Three Things Boomers and Pre-Boomers Must Do

The lists of “do’s and don’ts” directed at us by lifestyle specialists are long and arduous. We are defeated before we even start! But I maintain that raising our level of health is simpler, and the list should be much shorter—three points, in fact, which I will address in my next post.

1. Be conscious of your habits
2. Exercise
3. Watch what you eat and drink

What the Future of Aging Care Will Look Like

Boomers and Pre-Boomers are not alone in facing aging. Futurists in the health care industry, corporate entrepreneurs, and investors have had their eye on us for years, and are rethinking the entire area of aging. Concerns about treatment and prevention have shifted to a focus on lifestyle and living well. The understanding that we are living longer, and want healthier lives has struck a chord.  This has prompted industry to respond with new systems and inventions which will bring benefits to us, and definitely affect the bottom line of their corporations. New technological inventions will make it easier for people to stay in their homes longer. Digital systems delivering innovations from telehealth to remote monitoring are already making extended care possible at home, and on the go.

This focus on Boomers and Pre-Boomers will have profound implications for generations to come. But it’s very important for us to be participants in this process, and not just recipients. To fully take advantage of the new wave of attention to our health and well being, we will still need to be conscious, exercise, and watch what we consume. We will need to take responsibility for ourselves.

And maybe then the words to that famous Beatle’s song can be changed to:

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m ninety-four?

Or maybe not.