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

“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.

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

There are at least two ways I can choose to feel when I go to visit my aunt, who is in the throes of the effects of dementia and residing in an Assisted Living Facility. I can be sad and depressed and on the verge of tears because it’s hard to recognize the person in front of me as my aunt. She was always very prim and proper with the same neat, short hairstyle forever and a very basic, plain style of dressing. The only flamboyancy I ever saw her express over the years was her purchase of a few convertible cars.

Another choice I have besides sadness is to look for a little humor in the person she has become. Gone is the neat hairstyle of the past, and in its place is a rather scary, unkempt Richard Lewis look. The plain, but color coordinated outfits have been replaced with some really bad clothing choices. The effects of dementia  causes her to ignore two closets filled with clothing and opts to wear basically the same thing every day—topped off with shoes with no socks. Her socks, and other items, disappear on a regular basis. The staff at the facility thinks she throws them out. Initially, I found myself getting upset about things that went missing. Now, I just replace them.

The effects of dementia is causing my aunt to steadily lose her vocabulary. I have learned it is best to ask questions that can be answered simply—yes or no if possible. She no longer turns the television in her room on, but recently while waiting to be called for an appointment in a doctor‘s office, she was watching the national news channel that was on. She expressed extreme dislike of the green Geiko Gecko character, and when she saw George W. Bush, she announced to everyone in the waiting room, “I know that guy.” I had to chuckle. There are blogs devoted to finding some humor in the daily lives of Alzheimer and Dementia patients. I find them to be an affirmation that there are choices we can make when dealing with dementia and our loved ones affected by the disease.

Gerri Tyber

Operations Manager, Barton Home Care

My father served as a gunner in a B-29 bomber in the Pacific. Over the years I have learned more and more about the various battles and horrific sacrifices our service men made for this country. He is eternally grateful to the Marines who captured the island of Iwo Jima. It was strategically vital as an emergency landing field for B-29′s that suffered damage from bombing raids over Japan. He’s certain that their sacrifice saved his life. The War was certainly one of the most meaningful events in my father’s life.

As a home care provider, I have and continue to be honored and privileged to serve some of our veterans from WWII and other wars as well. We are currently providing care for a Two Star General struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. We also serve a gentleman who was captured by the Japanese and held as a POW for four years. And for several years now we have been providing care for a 90 year old woman who helped to build B-29 bombers. She was a “Rosie the Riveter” and without women such as her, the outcome of The War may not have been favorable.

The more I learn about WWII the more I am amazed. To think that we had to fight on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe, and the fact that our freedom was truly threatened is something that I hope no one forgets. After all, we are losing our WWII Vets at an alarming pace. It’s important to honor them. Please, anytime you encounter a Vet from that War or any war — please take the time to personally thank them for what they did. I salute all of our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice. I truly am honored to serve those who served all of us so well.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care

I wanted to share my most recent adventure with Sal. He was very agitated that his valet was broken. This is a favorite piece of his furniture that holds his clothes by his bed and allows him to have more room for moving around in his wheel chair. He asked if I would take him to Ackerman and Sons to have them fix it even though he thought they would have to keep it for some time, and that it would be expensive to repair. I loaded it in the Caddy and off we went. We found the place, and they assisted us the minute we arrived. It was repaired in five minutes, and they loaded it back into the car. They said that it was Senior Discount Day and that the cost was “Free.” Sal was so touched that when he got in the car, he got very teary and said that this was the best day ever. Even though this seemed like such a small thing to do, it made an unbelievable difference in his freedom and ability to be on his own. I have to say that I thought it was just a simple errand with mission accomplished, but he talked about this on and off for the next four hours. He said that it is nice to meet people like this along life’s journey but then if he hadn’t had me to make it possible, it wouldn’t have happened. He felt that I was his lucky charm. This was so powerful to me. I can see that in daily living, it is the small stuff that counts for these seniors and we must always remember this.

Then, when we returned home and got the mail, the pope’s blessing was there. He gave me the honor of opening it because I had facilitated him receiving it. We looked over this ornate certificate honoring Sal for his 100 years. He again was overcome with emotion and said he can’t wait to frame it. He said he was so glad that I cared about his religious background.

So later this week we are going back to Ackerman and Sons to give them something from Sal (I think he wants to get them a bottle of wine) and then to the framing shop. He just pats my arm and says, “You are the blessing in my life.”

And I found him through Barton Home Care - what a blessing for me too!

Meredith
Caregiver Extraordinaire for Barton Home Care

The problem is that the days seem to be so much shorter now than in one’s younger years. It’s hard to get everything done and to stay focused on priorities. Perhaps it’s the relationship of your years lived divided by your potential life span. When you were 10 years old (and with a potential life span of say 85 years) you were operating on a 12% factor … so remember how long those days were? Those summer vacations from school seemed to last an eternity. Now say you’re 55 years young … your same factor would be about 65%. That higher number means “where in the heck did the day go”? Yes, this is all very unscientific but I’m just trying to figure out why we’re always running out of time. Somehow the “perception” of time is impacted. Couple that with the fact that very few of us are truly able to live in the minute … we’re always thinking about what needs to be done or what has been done. Maybe, just maybe, this is how our elder population is able to endure the challenges of growing old. If we were experiencing the often difficult aging process with a child’s perception of time it could certainly be cruel and unusual treatment. Maybe this “time” distortion thing is a blessing … I think it is.

The folks we serve certainly help me with putting life’s priorities in order. I no longer complain about my knees aching from years of running … not when I see how many elders take life’s daily challenges on with such dignity and stoicism. Everyone does age differently. Attitude does seem to play a huge part in how one navigates the usual myriad of aging and health challenges. One person stands out in my mind and, if it were possible, I’d give him a posthumous award for aging with grace, dignity and pizzazz.

His name was Bob Morelli, and he was the father of one of my best friends going back as far as grade school. I watched this man with amazement as he exhibited tireless energy doing what he loved to do. First of all, he was a talker … an animated Italian from Brooklyn, New York. Sucessful in his own right, he raised two succesful boys who both ended up with careers in law. He was a piano/organ player extraordinaire. He fiddled with his ham radio and always seemed to be talking with people in far-off places. He was an avid tennis player and kept himself reasonably fit. Well into his seventies, he then thought it was time to start flying … so off he went to get his pilot’s license. Never a complainer, always upbeat, and with a great sense of humor, Mr. Morelli was a model for all of us to take note of … he found the time to enjoy life. Even after losing his beloved wife, he carried on. An avid reader, he never stopped learning.

So, this elder in particular was able to use the time-crunched later years very effectively, productively and happily. He met life head-on with robust enthusiasm. We did lose Bob a few years back but his memory lives on, and he truly had a powerful influence on everyone who ever met him. So go forward people and give it your best and jam pack those upcoming “short” days with an exciting zest for life … just like Mr. Morelli.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care

Meet Sal, a 99 year old gentleman from New York City. Yes, he lost a leg to a vascular problem a few years back but, aside from that, he’s doing amazingly well for someone born in 1908. Think about the remarkable changes in the world that he has experienced! Radio, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, the flu epidemic, television, WWI, the depression, WWII, the Cold War, the space program, computers and on and on and on.

Sal lives with his daughter, who has her own career and life, and the decision was made that Sal could use some extra help. Enter in-home, non-medical companion care. We were privileged to be chosen to help this young man. Upon meeting Sal you would think he was somewhere in his eighties. A full head of hair, clarity of mind and oozing of personality this fellow deserved the best. Having experienced success in the financial world, Sal was used to the best.

We assigned our caregiver, Meredith, who like our other caregivers, thoroughly enjoys helping people. We thought the match would be a good one. Turns out, Sal thinks of Meredith as the “daughter that he always wanted” and Meredith simply adores Mr. Sal. Three days a week she spends time with Sal, listening to his classical music, fixing him his favorite meals, hearing his incredible stories and taking him on excursions. We hear stories of Sal singing and tapping his fingers on the dashboard as he and Meredith travel about. It’s truly hard to believe that in December of 2007, Mr. Sal will be 100 years young!

So, let’s not discount the impact that companionship can have on the human longevity and the aging process. We all need someone to tell our story to … we all need to know someone truly cares. We at Barton Home Care have absolutely no scientific evidence to support our claim but we’ve seen time and time again that a companion who cares can make all the difference in the world.

For more information on home health care, Denver Colorado metro area.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care