Is the Baby Boomer Generation not going to get good care?

[Cola89]

You know, when all these Baby Boomer aged health care professionals finally retire, do you believe the next generations will be enough, to 'care' for the Baby Boomers, such a huge generation of people?

Also, do you think that the percentages of young students going into and sticking with nursing is as high as in earlier days?

There are so many other ways to make money, and with all of the cut backs and the unforgiving nature of nursing, do you forsee a big problem with getting adequate numbers of nurses to staff facilities?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Yes, many boomers fall into this cauldron. But the X'ers aren't far behind, or the Y'ers, and then ?

Given that children are showing up with obesity and type II diabetes at alarming numbers (and has been for a while now), I'd say future generations should be just as concerned.

[Libby1987]

I predict our society will crumble, and will have to hit the proverbial rock bottom, before we change both our attitudes towards preventive lifestyle and family responsibility.

30 years in HH, I used to see more of the traditional family unit where grandma had a spot in one of her kids' homes. She wasn't suffering from chronic lifestyle conditions but age related debilitation. It still exists I'm sure but I haven't seen this in quite awhile now that I stop to think about it.

I don't know the magic answer for choosing a life path that includes time and resources for good self care, young people just don't think like that prior to committing themselves to financial debt and dependent responsibilities. For me, I've had pretty much had good fortune dropped on me, aside from affluence, and I still have to dig deep to take care of myself. It certainly isn't the path of least resistance.

However, the cause and solutions do not lie in our corporate or govt healthcare systems. It's all in the collective mirror and we have abused the bounty.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Baby boomers are poised to become sicker and costlier seniors than earlier generations, according to a new report from the United Health Foundation.

9 findings on how baby boomers' health compares to earlier generations

As Horseshoe previously mentioned, much of this may be related to SES. The healthiest states for older adults are concentrated in the Northeast and West, whereas the least healthy states are located in the South.

As most people know, much of the South has been plagued with higher poverty rates and lower incomes than the rest of the country.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I would prefer a soft ending to any facility. Yikes.

[Jules A, MSN]

And like you said amoLucia, i also agree its black or white when it comes to resources. Either you are financial stable and will get top notch care or vice versa.

The affluent have it easier especially when it comes to lifestyle and preventative care but I'm not sure their outcomes are much different. It seems the prevalent sentiment is that everyone can plan to work into their 70s and die peacefully in their sleep at 90 after driving their self to the Piggly Wiggly the day before for pumpkin pie.

Personally I think some grace and realism in accepting our human limitations would go a long way toward solving the health care shortages and what I can only imagine is angst regarding our immorality. Moving Grandmom's G-tube for the third time due to infection might not be the most humane way to go, just saying.

[Jules A, MSN]

I would prefer a soft ending to any facility. Yikes.

I'd prefer a premature, hard ending over wilting away.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Makes me glad I own a self sustaining farm

besides,i would not be the ”ideal patient"

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

I would prefer a soft ending to any facility. Yikes.

I think anyone who has worked LTC/SNF or been involved personally (such as with family) would agree with you. I would rather have fewer, high-quality years than to exist in some sort of limbo until I'm 90+, having my nutrition pumped into me via a tube because I can't swallow my own saliva without getting aspiration pneumonia every few months---let alone eat foods I once enjoyed, being trapped in my own hallucinations that are very unpleasant and cause me to act in a way I never would have when I was younger, and preferring the aides that ignore me on rounds so as to not cause a fuss and be accused of "not listening to the resident's refusal" because I do nothing but yell when anyone comes into my room even with the best caretakers.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would prefer a soft ending to any facility. Yikes.

It doesn't just happen in facilities. My grandmother laid in a hospital bed in her living room or sat in a motorized wheelchair she couldn't even manage herself for the last 5 years of her life after debilitating strokes. She finally regained enough speech to state three words: "Let me die." Well, three years later, she died, still in that same bed. I'd like to see death with dignity made legal. When I get to that point where I have no quality of life I'd like to end it peacefully and on my terms.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would like to see ethics committees to be given more than "recommending" power and able to work beyond hospitals. At least, "futile care" conclusion should mean automatic DNR status.

Where I am, some poor souls are kept artificially alive for years despite of their own DRN paperwork filled long ago because family (who, meanwhile, cashes their SSI checks) "is not getting ready to give up yet". And I do not know if it is local quirk or not, but more and more families insist on withdrawal pain meds and sedatives because they want patient to "get stronger" and "communicate".

BTW, the next generation after Boomers in general lives shorter and sicker lives already, especially white women,, thanks to growing addiction to prescription meds

White Women Suffered Biggest Drop In Life Expectancy In The U.S. | The Huffington Post

[Jules A, MSN]

And I do not know if it is local quirk or not, but more and more families insist on withdrawal pain meds and sedatives because they want patient to "get stronger" and "communicate".

OMG! If my family ever tries that nonsense my last effort to "communicate" will surely be to reach out with my gnarled, bony fingers and snatch them bald headed.

[RiskManager]

As a 57 year old white male, it appears I should be thankful that all I am taking is 40 mg. simvastatin once daily. No other acute or chronic healthcare problems other than the musculoskeletal aches and pains when I get up in the morning.