Everyday you read and hear about "Baby boomer news"--a reminder that 77 million individuals, a large percentage of the world's population is aging. I, personally, don't see much change or preparation for this SURGE of aging people and the challenges they will bring to U.S. health care, buying habits, lack of retirement funds, housing, employment, prescriptions, aids to compensate for less mobility, hearing, and vision.....
We read or hear all of this, but I don't think it has "sunk in" yet (pardon the West Texas colloquialism) I think it will affect us more than anyone realizes.
Career-wise--the U.S. will need more skilled and knowledgable workers because the numbers needed are just NOT THERE with Generation X. Another problem is the "brain drain" in several industry sectors--education, government, and business created by BB's retirement. The workers who have "been there" know why "fences" were built, policies were created--and why they should or should not be changed--something that the next generation doesn't realize.
I saw this in public education the last five years I was there. Supervisors and managers said "let's do this..." and it couldn't be done because it was against education laws and codes. Dangerous...when the knowledge base for the industry is missing....
Perhaps as we get closer to the real "wave", we will panic. In 2031, the ratio of non-workers to workers will be 2:1--that will mean more people are not working than working--not due to unemployment but because of retirement or disability....what will we do about this? Will it mean that industry will offer enticing $$ offers to lure BB's out of retirement to "fix"things? or will it mean we could see a complete crash in career sectors?
I am not looking forward to it.....
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