Forecast For An Aging Society.

Baby boomers now caring for aging parents will soon join the senior ranks themselves. What will the world of 2020 be like for this large elderly population?

To help people prepare for this fast-approaching future, 12 forecasts that describe the facts of life for an aging America:

1. The retired will work again. More seniors are likely to reenter the labor force; many will need that steady paycheck.

2. Technology will boost independence. Elder-friendly technology will help seniors work and connect with friends and health-care providers.

3. Fitness will be a priority. Health plans may offer personal trainers and fitness club memberships to seniors.

4. “Senior-mobiles” are coming. Cars with higher seats and easy-to-read gauges could help seniors maintain independence.

5. They will vote. Older Americans will wield the most power of any demographic group in the voting booth.

6. Alternatives to nursing homes will emerge. Assisted living and adult day care could be cost-effective options.

7. Boomers may be impoverished. Many of tomorrow’s seniors are not financially prepared for long-term care.

8. An elder-care shortage looms. The demand for professional home-care aides will skyrocket when the over-85 population doubles by 2030.

9. Aging boomers will force policy change. The huge senior population will push hard for health-care services and for expanding Medicare to include long-term care.

10. Elder care will hurt women’s careers. More women than men are caregivers; many take early retirement or work part time to care for ailing parents.

11. Telecommuting will help family caregivers. Increased telecommuting will ease the burden of long-distance caregiving by allowing working adults to move closer to aging parents.

12. More employers will offer elder care. As absences and falling productivity take a toll on the workplace, employers may offer elder care assistance to their workers, as they did child-care benefits.

For more information at http://www.wfs.org