The Boomer Generation and Their Health

According to studies done recently in the United States, heart disease has dropped by sixty percent, strokes by seventy percent and the death rate for cancer by ten percent. Is the boomer generation aging more slowly because of healthy habits?

Most boomers strive to have a healthy aging process. This generation has the biggest increase in marathon runners and many have gym memberships. Many are concerned about controlling their weight, most practice good nutrition to combat the negative effects of aging, many use supplements and natural rememedies such as taking Vitamin D, C and the B vitamins to increase energy, mental focus and their health. Many of the boomer generation are proactive about their health, stimulate their brain with activities, projects, travel and work. Protecting themselves from the sun is another consideration as is their consciousness about cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Many in this generation don't smoke and drink less than the other generations. And many eat a diet that will protect them against diabetes. The majority are concerned about having more control over their health care as they age.

Most baby boomers are more socially and physically active than their parents were at the same age. Many are into yoga, walking and other forms of exercise and those who are more adventuresome are enjoying kayaking and hiking.

For the boomer generation there is a concern about whether the many services necessary for people as they age will be unavailable. The deteriorating health care system with long hospital waits, shortage of doctors and nurses and the general lack of facilities will be unavailable to a population that by 2025 will total almost one out of every four people.

The baby boomer generation have an 'I can', 'I will' attitude with a strong sense of determination. They use technology to increase their ability to obtain information that will help them help themselves. Internet helps them to make smarter decisions about their health care, allows them to connect with others who have experienced specific health problems, lets them research health questions, obtain services, look for doctors, research medicines and to track their own health conditions.

Most boomers desire to age in place which is to remain in their own homes and live independently as long as they are able to do so. Aging in place will depend largely on their health situation, memory difficulties and mobility problems.

Boomers are obsessed with age and see health and fitness as a way of slowing down the aging process. Few will admit to being seniors and many will only reluctantly admit to middle age. Many dress accordingly. In their parents' generation few women wore their hair long and loose on their shoulders past the age of forty. Now you see ladies approaching seventy with long flowing tresses.

Many will work longer, not only for financial reasons, but often as a need for identity and the wish to avoid the retirement pit and the thought of being considered 'old' by the younger generation.