Education Must Adapt to the Changing Public Health Needs of Baby Boomers
One-third or more of the United States’ population is composed of baby boomers—generally defined as anyone born between 1946 and 1964—with the over 65 population growing by 77 million people between 2011 and 2029. By the year 2030 all boomers will be 65 or older, according to the United States Census. A literature review suggests that baby boomers have different characteristics, needs, and demands than the current elderly population. Considering the research on education level, family complexity, diversity, income, and health conditions, the major needs for baby boomers have surfaced. To sum up current research succinctly: the baby boomers’ needs center on quality of life.
Aging is a multidimensional process influenced by health, desires, family roles, and productivity. Sensitivity to family dynamics and diversity are important considerations when serving baby boomers. The well-being of the boomer generation encompasses screening, assessment, diet, supplement usage, exercise, sexual vitality, pain management, and health condition. Boomers need helpful information through education by academia, public health programs, comprehensive health packages offered by the private sector, and personal inquiries.
Health packages must integrate alternative and traditional medicine to ensure quality of life and overall wellness of boomers. This responsibility falls on the community at large composed of the private, public, government/regulatory, and academic/research sectors. Read on to learn about how these sectors, particularly education, can adapt to accommodate this population.
Community and Public Health Programs
Boomers have complex family structures and greater diversity than previous generations. Family dynamics are an important consideration when working with boomers. Many are still caring for their elderly parents. Due to the high divorce rate and number of single parents, boomers may also be caring for their grandchildren.
Therefore, community and public health programs must appeal to dynamic families. Public health professionals also need to customize and adjust existing programs, materials, and means of communication to fit the demographic diversity of age, language, and ethnic culture of the boomer population. It is important to have culturally sensitive and knowledgeable workers on staff to best serve this population. Intervention efforts for boomers include cultivating healthy nutrition behaviors and identifying appealing modes of exercise.
Educational Demands
Boomers have a need for health education through many sources. The academic sector must continue to conduct research and publish results of trials and studies. Boomers also need more valid Internet navigation sites to help them sift through the health information online.
More community public health programs that promote the health and well-being of boomers through education are needed. Preventative health measures need to be taken to reduce the prevalence of chronic, preventable diseases in the boomer population.
Community and public health classes on diet and exercise should be given that discuss the relationship between lifestyle behaviors in the development of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Smoking cessation programs can be initiated for boomers. Also, sexual health and vitality effect quality of life, and boomers need programs that promote healthy sexual practices. This area, relatively ignored in recent years, has been brought to the forefront with boomers.
Health Insurance and Screening
Screening efforts for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, cholesterol levels, and diabetes mellitus are crucial for the boomer population and need to be continued as part of traditional medicine as boomers age. Screening by health professionals must also conclude nutritional intakes, eating patterns, supplement usage, physical activity patterns, and preferred modes of exercise. During this process help professionals should also inquire about the boomer’s interests or participation in alternative medicine therapies.
Once screening is completed, education through private consultation may be needed. Boomers may want to have several meetings with dietitians or personal trainers to improve their general condition and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Interventions can be developed through these private consultations.
Nutrition and Exercise
Teaching boomers’ good nutrition is a challenge for the dietitian to motivate them to make changes in their lifestyles. A top trend of Americans is the consumption of functional foods, fortified foods, as well as nutriceuticals and phytochemicals. Many boomers seek out these types of foods.
Programs, classes, and facilities are needed that will attract boomers to engage in physical fitness. Needs assessment and surveys can articulate where the boomers’ interests lie and can help frame programs. In adults, regular physical activity has been associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease, obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes, osteoporosis, and post- endometrial cancer. Physical activity has also been associated with increased longevity and lower rate of disability.
Exercise, both cardiovascular and resistance, can help maintain the muscle masses of aging adults. Encouraging strength training for both men and women is important. Circuit training that combines cardiovascular fitness and resistance training is popular among boomers.
Boomers need to know about how to train prior to exercise. The most common injuries affecting aging athletes are ankle and knee sprains, strains in the hamstring, calf, and back muscles, rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, stress fractures, and heel spurs. Health professionals also need to encourage regular activity and discourage “weekend warriors.” Poor conditioning and stiff muscles in older adults may increase their risk for injuries.
The United States is a market-driven country, and boomers want to choose which services and products they spend money. Wellness programs need to be affordable and managed by credible, educated professionals. Such programs need to be located near the boomers’ homes to be accessible, and they must have flexible hours to accommodate boomers’ work schedules and family commitments. Finally, programs need to be diverse to adapt to everyone’s demands.
Boomers need a variety of gym options, the choice of meeting with a dietitian or personal trainer, and the option of utilizing medically recognized alternative remedies. Dietitians need to package their materials differently to appeal to the boomers and to be successful in establishing healthy eating habits.
Time is a crucial factor for many boomers, so we need an effective workout in a short amount of time. Boomers are seeking not only physical benefits from exercise, but also mind and spiritual benefits. This reflects the shift from traditional, Western healthcare to a more integrative, holistic model.
Other Recommendations
America's baby boomers have different health needs and demands than the elderly population being served today. These differences, due to increased longevity, will produce health needs related to a higher incidence of arthritis, obesity, and diabetes. Baby boomers will demand more medical education and intervention than past generations.
A community or public health needs assessment should be designed and distributed to boomers across the United States to collect information on their wellness needs and wants. In addition to surveying the boomers existing programs and facilities must be mapped out and inspected so they do not duplicate what is already in place. Once gaps are identified, program planning and development can begin.
Request a digital review copy of Dr. Edelstein's recent book, Community and Public Health Nutrition, Fifth Edition today.
Read More:- Community Health is Rapidly Expanding, Training New Workers is Critical
- Photos, Videos and Vignettes: How to Bring Global Health Topics to Life in the Classroom
- How to Write a Textbook: A 7-Step Guide from a Public Health Course Instructor and Author
Sari Edelstein, PhD, RDN is the author of many research articles, inclusive of topics on ethics, yoga, the glycemic index, and athletic performance as well as the author or editor of books, including her most recent book, Community and Public Health Nutrition, Fifth Edition. She is currently retired, and was a Professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Simmons College. She taught both Food Science and Food service classes. Before coming to Simmons College, Dr. Edelstein was previously in private practice and also served as a hospital Food Service Director and Chief Dietitian.