In many communities, much emphasis is put on recruiting new, young talent for the sake of economic development. They are the future and certainly should be considered. There is, however, another group with tremendous power and influence who hold the key to every city's immediate and long term growth.
They are the baby boomers. Never before has there been such a huge demographic of fifty to sixty year olds. Never before has life expectancy been as high as it is and never before has the retirement age and its issues seen such a shift. They are a new market with new needs, creating new business opportunities. This vast social and economic arena is the first of its kind and needs creative attention.
This group is also willing and able to participate. They are a ready workforce not to be written off as tired or useless. In fact, many are finding second careers in areas that didn't exist even a decade ago. They bring a wealth of experience, people skills and life lessons to their endeavors, in and out of the workplace. Today's fifty year olds can plan to work for another twenty five years or more. Times have changed.
They are healthier and involved in life longer than any previous generation. Many are financially comfortable. They want entertainment, continual learning outlets, stimulating friends, social events and relaxing fun. Ask them how easy this is to find and you'll see the gap that exists.
Entrepreneurs, put on your thinking caps. Tap into this resource of plenty. Find a way to provide a better life for boomers and you'll provide one for yourself. Here are possible areas:
Housing
Boomers are not willing to down-size as soon or as drastically as their parents did. They want room for their family and friends to visit for the weekend, a place to entertain in style and a yard for gardening, relaxing and activities. The low maintenance of condos and community housing will still be attractive if they provide the above.
Entertainment
Boomers enjoy what they always have enjoyed, their own music, dancing and competitive events. They were raised in an era of competition where not everybody made the team, and that spirit remains. They thrive on challenge from tennis to chess. It keeps them vital in a world that tends to discount them. They like to laugh at jokes they get, be entertained by names they know, and to eat in peace and quiet.
Outlets
A good number of boomers feel they were so busy raising their families that they lost touch with friends. Many went right from being parents to caring for their own parents who too are living longer. They need social events where they can meet others with these same issues.
Boomers were born in the post war celebration period by depression era parents, leaving them with a mix of definitive values. They are thrifty with a dollar but will spend freely on what excites them. A weekend retreat featuring a hero of theirs would do it, as would a quality evening of learning something new. They also have an innate sense of the American dream and continually strive for betterment. Classes on self help, politics, interests and goals would be a draw, so would speakers, documentaries and idea sessions.
Of course, the above is for boomers in general. Breaking it down, there are boomers who are very social and others who aren't. Many are married, many are not. Some like Bill O'Reilly, some like Al Franken. Some like opera, others don't. Some still think Elvis is alive. All are products of coming of age in the tumultuous 60's which left its mark. The best we can do is to estimate an overview.
There is yet another aspect to consider. This vast demographic of our society will someday require assisted care. The existing facilities can't handle the numbers, nor is it the type of care this generation will need or accept. Be part of the preparation. Design innovative nursing resources now that will accommodate the masses and attend to their independent and overall healthy nature. Existing standards are not going to apply.
We are not a culture that respects our elders. As wrong as that thinking has always been, it is especially detrimental today and needs to be reexamined for the sake of the present as well as the future. Among the many reasons to do so, it is a booming economic opportunity.
