Boomers – Contrasts and Comparisons
Published November 21, 2010Denver Senior Caregivers give clarity to the differences among the Boomer generation
The following contrasts and comparisons are based on 2009 figures. They include three groups: older boomers, middle boomers, and younger boomers.
Older boomers represent 7% of the total population. They are ages 58 to 63 and were born between 1946 and 1951. Whites comprise 76% of the total; Blacks 10%; Asian 4%; Hispanic 8%; other races 2%. Older boomers represent 5-8% of the population of every state in the U.S.
Middle boomers represent 10% of the total population or about 1 out of 10 people. They are ages 51 to 57 and were born between 1952 and 1958. Whites comprise 73% of the total; Blacks 11%; Asian 4%; Hispanic 10%; other races 2%. Middle boomers represent more than 10% of the state population in 7 states: Alaska, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Younger boomers represent 9% of the total population or about 1 in 11 people. They are ages 45 to 50 and were born between 1959 and 1964. Whites comprise 69% of the total; Blacks 12%; Asian 4%; Hispanic 13%; other races 2%. Younger boomers represent 10% or more of the state population in 9 states: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont and Wisconsin.
There are many significant historic, social and cultural influences that helped shape the values and opinions of the three boomer groups. Obviously, there are crossovers among the groups.
Older boomers were influenced by the war in Vietnam, space exploration, Motown, the Beatles, the Civil Rights movement, Woodstock, and the assassinations of JFK, MLK and Robert Kennedy. Famous older boomers include Tom Clancy, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Buffett, David Letterman, Bruce Springsteen and Cher.
Middle boomers were influenced by President Nixon and his involvement in Watergate, the Kent State shootings, the premiers of SNL and Star Wars, the U.S. Bicentennial Celebration and the end of the Vietnam war. Famous middle boomers include Denzel Washington, Maria Shriver, Joe Montana, Katie Couric, Steve Jobs, and Bill Walton.
Younger boomers were influenced by the assassination attempt of President Reagan, John Lennon’s murder, technological advances including the founding of Microsoft, the first Apple computer, the Sony Walkman and cell phones. Famous younger boomers include Barack Obama, Jon Bon Jovi, Brian Williams, Wayne Gretzky, Garth Brooks, and Michael Jordan.
Do you have other insights you’d like to add?
Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care – Denver senior caregivers
In Home Senior Care, Denver: A Recent Testimonial
Published March 9, 2009The following was written by Ed, for whose mother we have been providing in home senior care, Denver metro area, since August 2007. It’s comments like these that keep us charging ahead. Thanks Ed for taking the time.
“My mother has multiple sclerosis and requires extra help with some of her day-to-day activities. My sister and I do what we can to help Mom, but our work and home lives preclude us from doing as much as we’d like. Thus, it’s been important to have a trusted home care professional in the house with Mom. This is where Tom Barton and Barton Home Care come in.
At first, we had no idea what to look for in a home care agency. We initially hired another company based on the recommendation of one of Mom’s hospital case workers. Unfortunately, that company had a “scheduling conflict” and stranded Mom without the care she needed on her first day home from a long hospitalization. We asked the case worker for a second recommendation, and she gave us Tom Barton’s name. Tom immediately impressed me with his professionalism and his genuine concern for Mom’s well-being. We’ve been with Barton ever since. (I later called that case worker again, and told her that Barton was the company she should have recommended first!)
Tom prides himself on hiring only the best and the brightest home care workers. In the last two years, Mom has had only two main caregivers (not counting the rare vacation fill-in). The first caregiver was replaced only because she moved on to further her career. Tom obviously understands what others don’t seem to: Continuity of care is crucial to the comfort and trust of his clients. He obviously goes out of his way to ensure that his people are in this field because they want to be.
I think it’s fair to say that Barton is the main factor that has allowed Mom to stay in her own house, and at least delay the need for an assisted living facility. This has tremendous financial AND emotional value. Barton has relieved a lot of stress for my sister and me. More importantly, Mom not only has a caregiver that helps her maintain her household and personal needs, but a valued companion and friend as well. This means a lot to our entire family.
Based on all of this, I am happy to recommend Tom Barton and Barton Home Care. They care, and it shows.”
If you or someone you know is considering in home senior care, Denver metro area, please consider Barton Home Care. You can contact Tom Barton directly at 303.660.5120 or info@bartonhomecare.com. He’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and share his “Caring to Make a Difference” home care philosophy.
For more information on choosing the best Senior Care – Colorado, please check out our post: Senior Care Colorado – The Benefits of Professional Caregiving.
Elderly Care and the Importance of Reviewing One’s Life
Published January 4, 2008A few years ago we thought it would be a good idea for our dad, who is 87, to start keeping a journal of his life—an informal memoir of sorts. We didn’t know he would embrace the idea as he has. He is now on his second journal. It’s not in any particular sequence; when he remembers something he considers significant, he writes it down.
It seems that this retrospection and contemplation of the past is not unique to our father. It is part of a process called “Life Review,” a term coined over 50 years ago by Robert N. Butler, MD. It’s a rather universal course of elderly care and care for those who are terminally ill and can be manifested silently or orally, consciously or unconsciously. It is a personal process by which an individual assesses his or her life as it nears its conclusion. A variety of things can trigger this reflective process – midlife, the interest of family or friends, a turning point or career choice, or an impending death can all contribute to the process.
Butler describes life review as a normal developmental task of old age. Theoretically, it is experienced by all older adults, on a conscious or unconscious level. Unresolved conflicts are of particular importance in life review. They represent final opportunities for individuals to resolve and come to terms with life’s earlier conflicts.
Butler says that death can be accepted only through the resolution of those conflicts, atonement for past actions or inactions, and reconciliations with estranged family and friends. Life review helps people to make peace with the past. By recording one’s history, whether by the written or spoken word, a legacy can be provided to pass on to succeeding generations. The life review can be a natural healing process and important for elderly care in that it enables elders share their memories with empathic listeners and/or readers and it gives a sense of validation to their lives.
A number of life review and family history training manuals have been developed to help elders on their journey. The Hospice Foundation of America has a guide to help document memories called “A Guide for Recalling and Telling Your Life Story.” Using tools like this may help resolve conflicts and questions about the road or roads not taken.
Gerri Tyber, Operations Manger
Barton Home Care
