The Boomer Continuum™ is a phrase I coined to capture the unique seasons of life that Baby Boomers experience — and the challenges that can result.
Some of us are caregivers for a parent or spouse.
Some are feeling the aches and pains of aging.
Many are doing both.
Some Boomers are even facing end of life or helping someone else who is.
All those dynamics can be messy.
Caregiving.
Aging.
Dying.
We Boomers live on a continuum in which we are often impacted by some aspect of all of these dynamics at some point.
That means the responsibilities and challenges we face typically overlap, requiring us to address multiple needs for both ourselves and others at the same time.
What we need are simple, effective solutions — and others who understand. There are many resources that can help, and the following provide a great place to start.
And here’s my disclaimer: While they look like great options, I’m not recommending that you do or don’t follow any of the guidance you find there. All of that is up to you. 🙂
Boomer Continuum Resources
Aging with Dignity: “Every person has a right to age with dignity. This right is embedded in the heart and soul of every person regardless of their health, wealth, race or creed.” Includes information about the Five Wishes living will.
Alzheimers.gov – Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis: “If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, it may be difficult to think beyond the day to day. However, taking steps now can help prepare for a smoother tomorrow. …”
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Family Caregiver Resource Center: “Helping you navigate your role as a family caregiver.”
Best Programs for Caregiving: “Best Programs for Caregiving is a free online directory of proven support programs for family and friend caregivers of individuals living with dementia. Whether you are a caregiver yourself or a professional whose organization serves dementia caregivers, you can use this tool to find and compare evidence-based programs from across the country that address caregivers’ unique challenges and concerns. ..”
Daily Caring: “When you’re struggling to care for an older adult (and stay sane), you need practical answers fast. We help you solve the frustrating day-to-day problems that make you lose your temper or keep you up at night. Today, there’s no shortage of information available to family caregivers. But who has time to dig through everything on the Internet just to find that one nugget of info that can help you? We’re here to do that digging for you. We search everywhere to find the most practical and useful tips, advice, personal stories, and resources related to caregiving and aging. Then, we boil it down to the most important points you’ll want to know. …”
Family Caregiver Alliance: “The mission of Family Caregiver Alliance is to improve the quality of the life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. …”
FindLaw: Their many resources include those Boomers may be interested in related to healthcare law, elder law, and estate planning.
Five Wishes: “Talk to your loved ones today about what matters most. The advance care planning program trusted by more than 40 million people.”
GetPalliativeCare.org: “Are you or a loved one living with a serious illness? Palliative Care can help. Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on relieving the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage, and you can have it along with curative treatment. The goal is to improve your quality of life.”
National Alliance for Care at Home’s Caring Info: “Understanding and discussing topics like advance directives, palliative care, caregiving and hospice care may feel overwhelming on top of dealing with a serious or life-limiting illness. Our guides and resources are here to help you through the journey you are on and to aid you in understanding the choices you have.” Includes downloadable, state-specific forms for advance directives.
National Council on Aging (NCOA) – Mission: “Aging well is everyone’s right. NCOA delivers the resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy our nation needs to ensure that every person can age with health and financial security.
National POLST Paradigm: “Honoring the wishes of those with serious illness and frailty.”
PREPARE for Your Care: “The PREPARE programs were developed by Dr. Rebecca Sudore, MD out of a deep passion to help empower people and their family, friends, and caregivers to obtain and understand medical information and to make informed medical decisions. …”
SeniorLiving.org: “Compassionate and caring, our panel of experts works hard to be the most trusted resource for older adults and caregivers. We search high and low to provide you with unbiased, reliable information to make later-in-life transitions easier to navigate. We believe that caregiving is a team effort. And our team is here to provide the in-depth research and recommendations you need to keep living life to the fullest.”
The Conversation Project “Helping people share their wishes for care through the end of life.”
Disability Travel
If you have a disability and would like to travel, there are many wonderful resources available to help you do it. The following list offers just a few.
Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin: Air Travel at the End of Life
U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs
Disabled World Travel: Accessible Disability Travel Information
Disabled World Travel: Accessible Disability Travel Information Document List
Very Well Health: Guidelines for Flying with Heart Disease
Very Well Health: Tips for Traveling With Medical Oxygen By Car, Bus, or Airplane
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Disabilities and Medical Conditions