For those of you born between 1946 and 1964, you are endearingly dubbed a “Baby Boomer”. This demographic is raising the bar of longevity and redefining the direction of healthcare, consumer products, technology and labor.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the population aged 65 and older is projected to grow by about 50 percent between 2005 and 2020.  That means the headcount of people over the age of 65 will be 71 million by 2030, based on U.S. Census Bureau forecasts. As the anticipated growth spurt takes place, the nation will surely benefit from many influences caused by the booming Baby Boomers. Here are just a few:

Calling All Doctors
Healthcare occupations are guaranteed to provide ample employment opportunities, but more so, specialized medicine will be in serious demand. Over 60% of the baby boomers have been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition (PDF), indicating that specialty fields pertaining to the care of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol and blood pressure are calling for doctors!

Age-Friendly Hospitals
While the necessity for specialized MD’s grows so will the demand for improved healthcare systems. Recent data suggests one of the biggest wastes of hospital expenditures comes from discharging patients too soon. Implementing stipulations that prevent premature hospital release not only benefits the aging population, but also facilitates a lucrative financial outcome for the hospital.  Baby boomers can look forward to being treated by age-friendly hospitals, which are restructuring to prepare their medical staff with supplemental training geared towards geriatrics.

Telemedicine
It is estimated that the national yearly cost of a skilled nursing home is $64,000 on average. As the nation’s level of spending decreases, nursing home services are slowly but surely going to get substituted with more cost-effective replacements like home-based care.  Consequently, the development of technological advancements for home-based care will ensure that the boomers will not have to compromise future comfort or convenience. Medical schools have also recognized the need to introduce the concept of Telemedicine and integrate programs that train future doctors with the high-tech skills to practice medicine from remote locations.

Nutritious-Conscious Consumers
Baby boomer’s represent a large chunk of the U.S. spending power, an opportunity valued to be worth $50 billion. In an effort to prioritize this revenue-generating age sector, companies like General Mills and PepsiCo are fine-tuning their marketing and advertising tactics to target baby boomers’ changing preferences. Delivering healthier products that contain decreased quantities of sodium, fat, cholesterol and sugar to more nutrition-conscious consumers is the green objective.

Special Stores & Superfoods
What you eat directly impacts how successfully you manage your weight, build your immune system and even how long you live. More importantly, the quality of food consumed is determined by where you choose to shop. Fat-free, antioxidant-rich, organic and unprocessed are a few labels stimulating popularity for the expression Superfoods. Lady-boomers have become quite fond of blueberries, a top superfood attributed as an all-anti-aging remedy. Soybeans and soy-products are a favorite for the men who want to improve prostate health and reduce heart disease. This trend is contributing to the success of specialty stores like Trader Joe’s, which is known to carry the widest variety of gluten-free foods. In the event you need some training on how to read a nutrition fact panel, just visit their website for a diagram along with nutritional definitions.

Part-Time Retirees
Traditional retirement is not exactly what the baby boomers have in mind. For this vibrant aging population, occupational activity provides mental and social fulfillment.  Equally important, working part-time after retirement satisfies the boomers need for financial stability, plus offers a new workforce group of qualified candidates. As a specialist in the Manufacturing Industry, my father’s profession in the unique trade of Tool and Die has prevented one U.S. company from outsourcing expenditures to Japan. By working part-time, he saves the company time searching for a replacement and continues doing what he loves.

Fitness-Happy Generation
Regardless of age, obesity has become a problematic issue for Americans. However, the baby boomers must be especially cautious because neglect of this type of chronic disease can persist into a variety of other complications. The fitness-happy generation of Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda fans is encouraging gyms to perk up their level of service by offering non-strenuous equipment and a selection of fun group classes. To take things one step further, baby boomers have helped create a new industry catering to health-centric adventure travel.

TV Doctors
I’m not talking about Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable or Doogie Howser MD; I’m referring to real-life physicians like Dr. Oz.  These TV hosts are drawing in a large audience-following from boomers, like my father, who appreciate the complimentary expert advice. By tuning-in, the public gets to learn about topics relative to life strategies, relationships, weight, nutrition, diseases and health management. The latest medical series to join the tube is a group of specialists, known as “America’s Medical Dream Team”, on the show The Doctors . While certain shows are experiencing a drop in TV ratings, the TV Doctors are one part of the entertainment industry staying busy and earning Emmys.

When all’s said and done, these examples indicate a sampling of the many contributions the baby boomer generation is making relative to the overall social and economic welfare of our society.  As the boomers consume healthier food, stay mentally active, exercise regularly and receive enhanced medical attention, they will surely continue to impact the development of the quality and expectancy of life.