The first wave of baby boomers is looking at the "Big 50." Our nests are becoming emptier and our waistlines are becoming fuller. On a more positive note, our home mortgages are becoming smaller and our retirement accounts are becoming larger. Although we seem to sleep more lightly than we did a few years ago, a meal eaten late in the evening seems much heavier and more bothersome than it did a few years ago. We often need more illumination to read but less volume to enjoy music. Most of us are less upset by the outcome of sporting events but more concerned about the stability of the organization we work for.
My, how our perspective changes over the years. Health related issues often become more important. Quality rather than quantity begins to emerge as a concern for many people in mid-life. History and tradition take on a new significance and our beliefs and values define us more clearly after fifty years. Many say it is harder to lose weight but easier to find time to pursue a vocational interests.
The unprecedented number of individuals passing the half century mark in this country necessitates our government's re-examining of everything from social security benefits to leisure and recreational facilities for retirees. The potential for a whole new generation of volunteers, with more free time on their hands after retirement, is soon to become available. Business and industry is looking at hiring retirees as part-time consultants, thus shifting the nature of the work force in some segments of the economy. Health care providers are beginning to look more and more at specialties in issues of aging and educational facilities for higher learning are seeing greater potential for courses in continuing education as the baby boomers' needs change.
What is ahead for us? More importantly, what have we learned that we can share with the generation following us?
A person will probably have many different careers in the future, a far cry from what we were led to believe, and that was if you were successful you could rise in the ranks and be secure for life. New occupations will appear; old ones will disappear as technology opens new vistas and demands for services and leisure activities increase. Women will continue to hold positions of greater responsibility and will be more visible in politics and government. Unemployment will not disappear, however, as these new more complex jobs will require more education and training. Positions in the field of geriatrics will be more numerous as the elderly will have many needs. Speaking of the elderly, some of us baby boomers will join the ranks of the ever growing number of citizens who surpass the 100 year mark. Our younger brothers and sisters may easily reach that century mark as medicine and science reduce diseases and as new discoveries in genetics and immunology are made. Good news then that our children and grandchildren can expect to be healthier and remain productive throughout their lives.
The Census Bureau has predicted that within the next 50 years the number of Americans 65 and over will more than double. So, here we are counting our blessings and thinking about the good things that lie ahead for future generations. But what have we learned that we can share with them? We can share with them that each generation has its own time, has made its own contributions. We have enjoyed a period of history that is unique. We were not without turmoil in our 50 years, not without sweeping changes. We enjoyed economic progress, learned to have concern for our planet and our precious environment. It has been a great 50 years and most of us expect to be here to get a clearer view of the next few decades.
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I’m an experienced Clinical Practitioner, Administrator, Professional Writer, and Lecturer.
