January 16, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Allen Hager, founder
Omaha: (402) 697-7537
Allen Kuhn, owner
Greater Monmouth County: (732) 566-6711
Baby Boomers Face Reality of Planning For Two
MATAWAN, New Jersey— This year marks a historic benchmark in America’s
aging population as Baby Boomers begin turning 60. Baby Boomers are
expected to live longer than any previous generation of Americans.
Baby Boomers are those adults who were born between 1946 and 1964,
a period of increased birth rate during America’s economic prosperity
following World War II. Of the 3.4 million Baby Boomers born in 1946,
2.8 million are still alive. Some of America’s more famous Boomers
who’ll turn 60 this year: Bill Clinton, George and Laura Bush,
Donald Trump, Susan Sarandon, Steven Spielberg and Sylvester Stallone.
As Baby Boomers begin planning their lives after leaving the workforce,
a growing number of them now face the additional challenge of finding
care for their aging parents at the same time, because Americans are
living longer. In many cases, a Baby Boomer who is now 60 has parents
who are 80 or older.
Medical advancements are part of the reason people are living longer,
into their 80s, 90s and even 100s. These longer lives can mean the development
of chronic conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, Alzheimer’s
disease or Parkinson’s disease in Baby Boomers’ parents.
These conditions make it difficult for these parents to perform some
or many daily activities.
“At a time when most Baby Boomers are concerned about their own
retirement, many also are faced with the fact that they have parents
who are reaching a level where they need some type of care and assistance,”
said Allen Kuhn, owner of the Right at Home Greater Monmouth County
office. “It’s a situation that will continue to grow as
the Baby Boomers age.”
As the parents of Baby Boomers advance in age, their families will
experience a “parenting the parent” situation, where adult
children, who may be in their 50s or 60s, become primary caregivers.
Baby Boomers who face the reality of caring for their adult parents
are discovering:
· Retirement, a time typically associated with relaxation
and less stress, becomes more stressful because of the additional
caregiving responsibility;
· A need now exists for greater financial planning, both for
the Baby Boomers and their aging parents; and
· There are now greater demands on the time of Baby Boomers
to care for their aging parents, often meaning families need to bring
in outside resources.
“It’s very stressful for anyone to care for aging parents.
We now have an entire generation, one of the largest generations ever,
facing that challenge,” Kuhn said. “The good news is that
help is available to aid families in providing care for seniors, and
that Baby Boomers are becoming better educated on the issues of aging.”
Right at Home offers in-home supportive care and assistance to seniors
and other adults to help them continue to live independently. Right
at Home directly employs all direct care provider staff, is bonded and
insured, and carefully pre-screens all caregivers prior to their entering
a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised
by local independent owners. Some offices provide medical home healthcare,
as well. Right at Home’s corporate office is based in Omaha, Neb.,
with franchise offices throughout the United States, including greater
Monmouth County. For more information on Right at Home, visit the company’s
Web site at www.rightathome.net or the Greater Monmouth County office
Web site at www.rightathome.net/monmouth.
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Editor's note: Right at Home franchise owner Allen Kuhn is available
for interviews.
Please call (732) 566-6711 to schedule an interview.
