Here Come the Boomers … Final Thoughts

Given the transition of members of the Boomer generation into their older adult years, one could predict that we will begin to see a large increase in congregation ministries focused on the habits and lifestyles of aging Boomers. I have yet to see it at the church where my wife and I are members. Nor have I noticed a focus on boomer- sensitive older adult ministries among the requests for seeding assistance that Wheat Ridge Ministries is receiving from new health and human service ministries.

I’m not trying to be critical. Boomers are presenting a huge challenge for churches as we grow into our senior years. For example, it’s difficult to imagine myself participating in the traditional older adult ministries, such as group gatherings with names like “The Joy Group” or “Saved Seniors,” that have served members of the GI and Silent Generations so well. I’m hoping to enjoy several more years of service as a contemporary worship song leader and, as my schedule eventually becomes more flexible, engaging in other multi-generational activities in my church and community.

On the other hand, I suspect that as we age, Boomers will be grateful to be the beneficiaries of the care that churches have always provided for people as they face the inevitable health and independence issues that go along with growing old. A big question is whether churches will have the capacity to provide care for this large generation of people who are growing older.

I recently happened upon a blog written by Thom Rainer, CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Thom’s ministry focuses on observing and researching societal trends and their impact on the Christian church. In a recent post, he shares several ways that churches will feel the impact of retiring Boomers. He contends that “Retiring Boomers will kill traditional church senior adult ministries because they don’t like to be categorized as senior adults. Nor are they attracted by typical older adult ministry activities.” While this may be true, Thom’s observations about aging Boomers also include some interesting opportunities for the church, including:

1.      Some will have more volunteer time. But their retirement will break previous patterns. Many of these Boomers will continue to seek atypical retirement opportunities. There will be few “rocking chair” retirees among the Boomers. How can churches attract those Boomers who will have more discretionary time? Perhaps the next implication can answer that question.

2.      Most of the Boomers still want to change the world. Many of them may be disillusioned after four decades of work that was not meaningful and life changing. But they still have the spirit of the 60s, a spirit that desires to be different and to make a difference. If congregations can offer retiring Boomers such opportunities, there could be a surge of Boomer church adherents.

3.      The large Boomer generation will become more receptive to the gospel. Our data is anecdotal for now, but we are seeing indications that the Boomers may actually become more interested in spiritual matters in general and Christianity specifically. If so, this trend will be counter to other trends where adults tend to become less receptive to the gospel as they age. The Baby Boomers have tried it all and found no joy. They may likely turn to the hope of the gospel.

4.      Family will be a key value for both of the large generations. For the Millennials, family is their most important value. Nearly eight out of ten of the Millennials ranked family as the important issue in their lives. They told us that they had healthy relationships with their parents who, for the most part, are Baby Boomers. Some churches say they are family friendly, but few actually demonstrate that value. Churches that reach both of these generations will make significant impact.

To be sure, we who God put on the earth during a time that qualifies us as members of the Boomer generation will continue to be blessed by the healing touch of Christ as we grow older. What a blessing we can be to others as we respond to this Good News! 

I’m looking forward to the seeding opportunities that come to Wheat Ridge Ministries as churches and other Christ-centered organizations begin to focus on service to the Boomer generation. In the meantime, is your church considering or already engaged in “Boomer friendly” health and human care activity? If so, please use the response space below to share what you are doing. Thanks!

Enjoy the unique gifts of life that God provides in whatever generation you are blessed to call yours!

Ready or Not, Here We Come!

As a proud member of the “baby boom” generation, I like to do what boomers do – pay attention to how boomers are influencing the world! I came upon a great example recently when a new research study crossed my desk commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIA) based on 2010 census bureau information. The report focuses on the effect that aging boomers are beginning to have in the United States. For example…

     • In 2010, there were 40.3 million people aged 65 and older, 12 times the number in 1900.
     • The percentage of the population aged 65 and over among the total population increased from 4.1% in 1900 to 13% in 2010 and is projected to reach 20.9% by 2050.
     • From 2010 onwards, the older dependency ratio — the number of people aged 65 and over per 100 people aged 20 to 64 — is expected to rise sharply as the baby boomers enter the older ages. In 2030, when all baby boomers will have already passed age 65, the older dependency ratio is expected to be 37, which translates into fewer than three people of working age (20 to 64) to support every older person.

The data in this last bullet especially caught my attention. While we boomers like to brag about the positive influence we’ve had in the world, by our shear presence we are creating some significant challenges for our children and grandchildren as we grow older. This challenge also is evident as one looks at health and health care data from the study:

 

     • Over 38% of those aged 65 and over had one or more disability in 2010, with the most common difficulties being walking, climbing stairs and doing errands alone.

     • Changing marital trends, such as the rise of divorces, as well as the increase in living alone among the 65-and-over population, will likely alter the social support needs of aging baby boomers.

     • Rates of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have declined among those 65 and older, but the percentage of overweight and obese people has increased. Between 2003 and 2006, 72% of older men and 67% of older women were overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with increased rates of diabetes, arthritis, and impaired mobility, and in some cases, with higher death rates.

     • Research based on NIA’s Health and Retirement Study suggests that the prevalence of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, increased among older people between 1998 and 2008. For example, in 2008, 41% of the older population had three or more chronic conditions, 51% had one or two, and only 8% had no chronic conditions.

     • The cost of long-term care varies by care setting. The average cost of a private room in a nursing home was $229 per day or $83,585 per year in 2010. Less than one-fifth of older people have the personal financial resources to live in a nursing home for more than three years and almost two-thirds cannot afford even one year. Medicare provides coverage in a skilled nursing facility to older and disabled patients for short time periods following hospitalization. Medicaid covers long-term care in certified facilities for qualifying low-income seniors. In 2006, Medicaid paid for 43 percent of long-term care.

 

All of this begs a question used often in Luther’s Small Catechism:  What does this mean? For those of us who are interested in the church’s role in a changing world, a variation of this question is: “What does this mean for the Christian church as it reaches out in Christ’s name with health and hope to people in need?” I’m pondering this and hope to share some thoughts in future installments of Rick’s Reflections. In the meantime, I’d welcome your comments, whether you are a fellow boomer or a person from another generation who has to put up with us boomers. Blessings!