Baby Boomers will cause shortage

My graduating class of 1963 from Satsuma High School was 85 strong. So why did Satsuma High graduate a class of 250 the very next year? To get the answer we have to go back to 1946. In 1946 the soldiers came home from the WWII with optimism and hope about the future and started families at a rate the world had never seen. In 1946 long lines developed at hospitals. Hallways were used as labor rooms because babies were coming so fast they ran out of hospital rooms.

The baby boom generation stretches from 1946 to 1963 and includes 76 million people. The first baby boomer turned sixty years old January 1, 2006. There was a baby born every eight seconds, 8000 per day. There were shortages of baby food, diapers, and department stores couldn’t keep toys in stock. When they took their first steps, the photo industries skyrocketed.

You may wonder why I am telling you about this historical event. Because the first baby boomer turned sixty January 1, 2006, so the shortages are about to start all over. Remember 8000 per day will turn sixty for seventeen years until the entire 76 million turns sixty. When the last baby boomer turns sixty in 2022 the first baby boomer will be 76. The next shortage will be a care giving shortage, and long term care.

Ken Dychtwald, examines one by one, these myths range from the merely disprovable to the downright absurd.

“AGE WAVE FREEING OURSELVES

Myth 1: People over 65 are old.

Myth 2: Most people are in poor health.

Myth 3: Older minds are not as bright as young minds.

Myth 4: Older people are unproductive.

Myth 5: Older people are unattractive and sexless.

Myth 6: All older people are pretty much the same.

If we are to create a new, more positive image of aging, we must first uproot the prevalent negative myths and stereotypes that bind us.”

• In 1935 congress started Social Security.
• In 1965 congress started Medicare.
• In 2006 congress started Prescription Drum Plan.

The average couple receives $22,000 per year plus $12,000 in Medicare benefits.

SeniorAdvantage of North Mobile’s mission is to help seniors stay independent in their own home. We make each member aware of all the benefits they are qualified to receive from government and private sources. We are now counseling our members on the new prescription drug plan. Many of our members with high prescription drug cost are saving hundreds to thousands per year.

Ron Mitchell, President