Baby Boomer Older Adults: Beyond the Rocking Chair
Beyond retirement and the iconic, stereotypical senior porch swing, today’s Baby Boomer seniors are living longer and finding amazing new ways to share their time, energy, and talents with others in their homes. last years.
Do you remember watching your grandmother knit in silence, watching TV or listening to the radio for seemingly hours while your grandfather sat with her or entertained around the house? Well, those days are long gone as Baby Boomers and seniors across the US are taking on new challenges, new roles, and new activities that reflect the fast-paced times and economic climate in which we live.
Today, older Baby Boomers are dating more than ever, including taking college classes in various areas of study and interest. In fact, proudly, about 20 years ago, my own mother graduated from the University of Maryland when she was 72 with a minor in sociology and a minor in linguistics. Yes, it took her 10 years, many buses and many, many nights as she worked toward her life’s goal of graduating from college with her 4-year degree. To everyone’s surprise, she even successfully took algebra to earn that degree. The course load was heavy, the time was well spent and she was able to achieve her lifelong goal… And she kept her young, alert and active. My children, siblings and I will never forget them announcing over the loudspeaker that she was the oldest candidate that day at graduation!
With current statistics revealing that a staggering 80 percent of seniors plan to work after age 65, and that between a quarter and half of them have been unable to save for retirement, things are sure to be different for the rapidly aging baby boomer generation.
It has been estimated that when the Baby Boomer generation reaches age 65, the 65+ demographic will double what it is today. With this massive and unprecedented number of seniors relying on Social Security for retirement and working well into old age to supplement their Social Security income, Baby Boomers are in a prime financial position to need to work more time, at least part time. in his later years.
That being said, they will remain one of the busiest generations in history, as they balance working in their later years to earn extra income, helping their children with their grandchildren, volunteering in their communities and churches working with the homeless, programs for youth and literacy programs, enroll in college courses, join senior centers for art, exercise and other classes, and the list goes on.
With this generation of Baby Boomer seniors ditching the rocking chair for a more central role in American culture and society, many Baby Boomer seniors will be in a position to share their valuable experiences, knowledge, and the wisdom of his years. with many people inside and outside their houses. Striving to make a meaningful difference in the world around them, these dynamic and active Baby Boomer seniors will be in a strategic position to positively impact people of all ages and backgrounds in unprecedented ways.