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March 28, 2014 at 09:55 AM
Boomers continue to influence life stages and impact your practice as they age into this next phase of their life. They will influence how retirement is viewed and experienced. By 2030, 20 percent of the population is projected to be over 65 years of age and Americans over 65 are the fastest-growing population segment.
In the last century, Americans over 65 increased from 3.1 million to 37.9 million while an American turns 60 every seven seconds 70 percent to 80 percent want to continue to work to stay young.
They are searching for a purpose through:
- Relationships;
- Education;
- Leisure time activities; and
- Serving others.
So what myths do you run into in your practice every day and which ones are not true?
Older adults can’t adapt to change.*
Debunking the myth:
- Adapting to change is more about temperament than other factors;
- Listening and feeling empathy helps people accept change; and
- Find a way for them to contribute to the mission.
Older workers aren’t as effective as younger ones.*
Debunking the myth:
- They bring experiences, loyalty and stability;
- Physical strength changes so manual labor is more difficult;
- Often older workers have good reflective and creative skills; and
- New research indicates brains become more creative with age.
Older adults experience significant memory loss.*
Debunking the myth:
- Less than 10 percent of people over 65 have major memory loss;
- Most memory losses result from disease or negative effects of medication; and
- Memory impairment isn’t a characteristic of normal aging.
