BoomtownLiving is a forum where elder living gains the vitality it deserves; from innovation technology to all things that foster a richer experience in the second half of life. Technology and social innovations will help give the caregivers and older adults higher quality time to enjoy together. Quality time for elders on their own, with their peers, and with their loved ones gives everyone involved a better life.
The Baby Boomers are aging fast, living longer, and facing an inadequate elder care system… and they’re not going to take it lying down. These independent-thinking people created one social revolution, and know how to demand another. So look out because here they’re coming fast, will be staying a while, and won’t be happy when they see their current options at the old folks home.
The lifestyle and culture of the elderly is beginning to change, both in assisted living situations and with aging in place, but not rapidly enough. As the independent-thinking baby boomers become the aging boomers, there will be more demand for “aging in place” (in their homes) and an active lifestyle. If forced by circumstance to an assisted living situation, there will be no more Lawrence Welk and bingo… the older community will require an updated list of options that could include having Rock ‘n Roll concerts and raves in the dancehall, interactive and community video gaming, access to video streaming, and better communications with their loved ones, to name a few.
The current trend just scratches the surface of what will be needed to keep these folks happy. Medical advances and other technologies are being created that will greatly extend the average life expectancy for all. Making sure our loved ones take their meds, or don’t wander is vital to their safety, but what about their happiness? What about their dignity and self identity that is silently slipping away? What are we doing about loneliness and boredom? Now that we are in it for a longer run, how do we fuel our very reason to live?
How can we protect and enable older adults to maintain a good, sustainable, and independent quality of life both physically and emotionally?