Baby Boomers Redefine Aging and Long Term Care

Fort Bragg, California (PR LEAP) July 10, 2007 - “Boomers are just the beginning,” notes Rich Umbdenstock, president of the American Hospital Association. “[They] will change health care dramatically; [their] mark will be lasting.” The good news is that “boomers are focused on wellness and looking for new approaches to care.” The bad news is that 6 out of 10 boomers will be dealing with more than 1 chronic condition by 2030.

According to health care professional Janet O’Connor, "Anyone over the age of 65 now has a 40% chance of entering a nursing home. More than 9 million people over the age of 65 will need long-term care this year. By the year 2020, it will be 12 million."

Ms. O’Connor has published a 207-page book for boomers —Senior Long Term Care Choices: How To Select The Best Plan For Your Whole Family. It catalogues the full spectrum of available care, looks closely at resources, and provides essential information for making informed choices about long-term care.

What makes Ms. O’Connor’s approach interesting is that she’s integrated web technology, allowing her to deliver constantly updated, leading-edge advice to her readers.

“The challenge,” O’Connor explains, “was to provide up-to-the-minute information that could be immediately accessed and easily updated. Publishing online allowed me to take advantage of internet technology. It’s important to have easy access to the latest information and guidance when you’re trying to set up effective long-term care.”

According to Umbdenstock, boomers will be more active and focused on staying in their homes than previous generations. Senior Long Term Care Choices, provides detailed information that helps seniors maintain their homes. The book offers step-by-step advice on how to manage independent living, reliable home caregivers and find the financial support necessary to sustain independence.

Senior health care is a moving target. The changing demands of boomers along with new technology, will likely translate into new forms of care delivery. O’Connor’s methodology is designed to keep pace with these changes. Senior Long Term Care Choices is downloadable and resource links are embedded in the text. As resources and information change, readers will receive free updates filled with new links and timely news.

O’Connor has 2 sites online: http://www.squidoo.com/care4elderly/ provides a host of resources, and http://www.help4longtermcare.com offers many additional articles.

"Ideally,” says O’Connor, “the sooner you begin a dialogue about long-term care with your loved one and the rest of the family, the better. By broaching the subject in advance, you can make decisions as a family before you are forced by circumstances to decide in haste."