Baby Boomers in Healthcare

Erin Sweeney

QU 201- Baby Boomers & Beyond

Professor Rosenblum

9 May 2011

Baby Boomers Effect on Health Care

The Baby Boomer generation is the generation of people who were born during the post- World War II birth rate boom from 1946 to 1964. For most of my peers their parents fall into that category of people, as do 78 million other Americans. These Baby Boomers are our professors, parents, aunts, uncles, doctors, nurses, coaches, government officials, and ultimately the driving force of America today. This generation is a powerhouse in virtually every aspect but they are aging and slowly approaching the age of retirement. The health care industry is directly affected with the longevity of the years these Baby Boomers will live.

The Baby Boomers who are over the age of 65 make up 12 percent of the population but that number is expected to rise; by 2011 40.2 million Americans will be over the age of retirement. For most Baby Boomers, the age of 65 is a turning point in their lives; the decision about retiring is on the forefront. The life expectancy rate of Americans is higher than ever before because of the active life styles these Baby Boomers partake in. The longevity and active life styles increases the need to treat chronic problems and injuries. In this population of Baby Boomers, 60 percent of them have been diagnosed with at least one chronic medical condition. Some of which include, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, tendonitis, bursitis and hyper tension. These conditions require regular health care checkups, taking prescriptions, and making dietary changes. As a result, these aging Baby Boomers will require much more assistance from individuals in medical careers. These medical careers are not only doctors and nurses; the more behind the scenes personnel such as medical laboratory technicians, medical billing clerks, dieticians, and physical, occupational, and athletic therapists are also needed.

Aging Baby boomers are not...