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By 2020, 65-year-olds in Delaware will outnumber 14-year-olds. By 2025, there will be twice as many older Delawareans than there were in 2000.
By 2030, there will be twice as many older Americans than there were in 2000.
The 78 million baby boomers nationwide, born between Jan. 1, 1946, and Jan. 1, 1964, will begin to retire soon. The demands they will bring to federal and state agencies serving older or disabled Americans require preparation.
A White House Conference on Aging in October will focus on aging boomers, so state officials hosted a daylong conference to develop recommendations on meeting the demands the baby boomers will bring.
Topics of discussion at Gov. Ruth Ann Minner’s May 25 conference centered on financial literacy, the availability of senior centers for the next generation, access to services, ageism, end-of-life issues, a shortage of workers and the role of community and religious groups.
“The population is flip-flopping. It’s an exciting time,” said Allan Zaback, director of the state’s Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. On the issue of future labor shortages, Zaback said the federal Department of Labor forecasts when the baby boomers retire, the American workforce will be facing a 10 million worker shortfall of experienced workers.
“The concept of retirement is becoming outdated,” he said. “Flexibility is the new concept, because mature workers have experience, knowledge and expertise. Smart corporations are finding ways to entice experienced workers to remain on the job if they are healthy.”
Zaback said senior centers are already reporting differences as new people seek services.
“The baby boomers want more choice and variety,” he said. “Intergenerational issues will face senior centers of the near future. Many retiring baby boomers will want to remain independent and at home. Many are seeking new careers, pursuing educational goals, volunteering, engaging in hobbies, travel and much more. We need to help them be able to do that.”
Zaback noted that end-of-life decisions that can help ensure death with dignity are vitally important as the baby boomers approach senior status.
“Research shows that Americans expect their loved ones to carry out their wishes about end-of-life care, but have not made those wishes clearly known,” said Zaback. “Americans are uncomfortable talking about death and reluctant to ask about their parents’ final wishes. One out of four Americans over age 45 say they would not bring up issues related to their parents’ death or about choices in care at life’s final stages – even if the parent had terminal illness and less than six months to live.
“A major fear of the elderly is to die alone and in a hospital,” said Zaback. “There is a definite need to improve our vision of end of life.”
Vincent Meconi, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, said the state would work hard over the next few years to raise awareness about the upcoming population shift.
“These millions of baby boomers are going to expect different things as they grow older because of the lifestyles they’ve lived,” said Minner. “They want to retire and enjoy life. They expect more creative opportunities. These are important issues. Talk about them and let us know what you recommend we forward to the White House. You are shaping the future for 78 million people.”
Minner also paid tribute to the more than 150 centenarians who live in Delaware.
The White House Conference will take place Oct. 23-26. The conference theme is “The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action.”
Past White House Conferences on Aging have contributed to the establishment of the National Institute on Aging, and the establishment of key aging programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, the Supplemental Security Income Program and Social Security reforms.
Two delegates named by Minner will take the state conference recommendations to the White House Conference and represent Delaware.
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