As Baby Boomers Age

Information for the press release was acquired at http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/28/senior-citizens-health-care-report/2354635/.  (“Senior health care crisis looms; report ranks states”)

Baby Boomers are now becoming senior citizens.  As they do, a strain is going to be placed on the health care system.  On average, they may live longer than previous generations, however, they are also more likely to be obese and have diabetes and other chronic diseases. 

A few months ago, the United Health Foundation released, “America’s Health Rankings Senior Report.”  Based on 34 measures of senior health, including obesity, drug coverage, physical inactivity and more, the report analyzed seniors’ health status.

This report states that one in eight Americans is now 65 or older (about 40.3 million people).  By 2030, the year by which all Baby Boomers will have turned at least 65, those numbers will increase to one in five (72.1 million people).  By 2030, it is anticipated that 8.7 million Americans will be 85 or older.

Out of every 10 seniors, about eight have one or more chronic health issues.  Fifty-percent have two or more conditions.  Obesity, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis will bring about huge numbers of disabled seniors.  Adults 65 and older spend two to five times more on healthcare than younger adults.

It is hoped that this report will serve as a warning about the impending economic consequences.  “The report offers ‘an important set of messages ... for personal focus, family and community focus, and a heads-up to the providers, and a real heads-up to policy makers,’ said Jennie Chin Hansen, CEO of the American Geriatrics Society and author of one of several commentaries in the report.”

The report revealed how each State is ranked based on a variety of issues, “including a large number of seniors who report being in very good or excellent health, high rates of creditable drug coverage, relatively high availability of home health care workers, as well as a low rate of seniors at risk of going hungry and a low rate of hospitalization for hip fractures…”

Using these factors, Minnesota has the best record while Mississippi has the worst.  However, these figures don’t provide the full picture, because Minnesota also has a high rate of chronic drinkers, and the State provides little assistance to older adults in poverty.  And while Mississippi ranked lowest on the factors in the previous paragraph, they also have a much smaller number of chronic drinking and a high rate of flu vaccination.

The senior population is expected to grow 46% between 2015 and 2030.  Arizona expects the largest increase in the number of seniors by 2030, with a whopping 101% anticipated increase of seniors.  The report covered each State’s obesity rates, the number of seniors living at or below the poverty level, the percentage of seniors with chronic diseases and much more.

If you’re interested in reading the entire report, visit the link at the top of this PR.  As a Baby Boomer myself, being over 65, I found this report to be both interesting and frightening.  What are your thoughts on this topic?

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Groaning, Popping and Creaking

As I celebrate another birthday, it makes me wonder, exactly when did I begin groaning when I get up from a chair?  When did I start hearing popping and creaking noises when I move? 

Let me say up front, I am grateful that I’ve lived as long as I have.  Many people don’t make it to my age – like one of my sisters who died at only 62. 

It is an odd thing, but over the past few years, it seems that most conversations I have with family and friends lead into our health issues.  We all have them once we reach a “certain” age.  Sharing our medical problems with others certainly doesn’t ease the pain or improve the condition.  And yet, it seems nearly all “seasoned” citizens talk about and compare their various ailments.

I am not old, and yet when it comes to all the warnings we hear about in medication commercials, I am considered part of the “elderly.”  Aren’t elderly people sitting in their rocking chairs on the front porch? 

The general concept of “old” has changed since I was a child.  I remember my grandmother as always being old, and yet when I do the math, she was really only in her 60’s when I was a child.  I know that the older I get, the younger “my age” seems to me.  I no longer look at a 70-year-old man as an “old man.” 

Thanks in part to modern medicine, but even more than that, “older” people today are more active for much longer than previous generations.  I think that attitude has a lot to do with it.  I am part of the Baby Boomer generation, and we are all at or near Medicare age.  Isn’t that for old people?

Well, I for one am grateful I have reached another birthday.  With all my aches and pains that come as a “side effect” of aging, I will take them all.  I am not planning to go “anywhere” soon. 

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more at http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

To learn about Julie Klein and how you can be successful in network marketing, look at the Xpress Healthcare Business Opportunity at http://joinxpresshealthcare.com.  

Where Are the Golden Years

I’m on the older end of the baby boomer generation. I am officially considered a senior citizen. I don’t think like I’m old. People tell me I don’t look that old. Unfortunately, my body won’t let me forget it.

I’d always heard that the Golden Years would be wonderful! Seniors are free to do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it. They no longer have children to worry about, and money is no longer a problem.
Now that I’m in what was supposed to be “The Golden Years,” I realized that they lied to me. As my body creaks. cracks, and groans when I rise from the couch, it is definitely not cheering. As osteoarthritis takes over my fingers, I am beginning to wonder if I’ll be able to play the piano. Actually, I never have before, so it would be pretty miraculous if I could now. 

My husband and I still walk two miles every morning.  I couldn’t walk any distance at all without my hiking stick. I refuse to use a cane. That would make me officially old!  When I’m walking with my hiking stick, people laugh and ask if I use it to beat up my husband. See, that makes it funny, not pathetic.

It’s odd, I never had freckles as a child or young adults, but I do now. I much prefer calling all those “age spots” freckles, wouldn’t you?

The lives of my children and grandchildren is like watching a TV drama. My sons are responsible young men, but “stuff” keeps “happening” to them. Not worry about them? It’ll never happen.

Starting when I was very young, I was very responsible with money. I began investing and saving at an early age. I expected that, by this time, I’d have tons of money, so I could relax and enjoy life. It should have been that way.
Unfortunately, throughout the year of 2008, my investments went down about $5000 per month. During 2010, my investments began to increase again, but we’re still not back to where we were before the meltdown. So, vacations are on the back burner. We are fortunate that we have a few different means of income aside from our investments. So we have no problem paying our bills, but the luxury items will have to wait a while.

One thing that I do love about my age now is that I can still work my home business, sitting on my nice ergonomically correct office chair. As long as my mind stays sharp (which I sometimes wonder about even now… What was I looking for?), I can sit at my computer and work.

One more advantage of being a senior citizen is the discounts various stores, theaters and restaurants offer. You betcha!  I’ll admit I’m a senior to get a ½ of meal or free coffee. More and more businesses are offering discounts to seniors, so I’ll take advantage of them all!

The senior years don’t look Golden to me. Growing old is not for sissies or wimps. However, I’m facing them with head held high. I may have many more years remaining, so watch out! I’ll take advantage of every one of them to the best of my now limited somewhat abilities.

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Learn how to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more at http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance).

To learn about Julie Klein and how you can be successful in network marketing, look at the Xpress Healthcare Business Opportunity at http://joinxpresshealthcare.com