Is the United States prepared for the Baby Boomers to grow old? This book seeks to answer these questions. It also suggests strategies to make sure that the answer to these questions becomes YES.

Much has been written about the Baby Boom generation but this is the first book to address current issues they face while simultaneously projecting ahead to challenges and benefits that are likely to characterize this next generation of older persons. It is based on keynote presentations by noted leaders in the field of aging, who discuss their expectations of their old age. Thus, it is both an introductory primer to aging today as well as a book that raises questions, suggests solutions, and indicates avenues of planning for the future.

The book takes a close look at the state of readiness of health and social service providers for the large numbers of older persons in society's future. A careful look is taken at what is and what might be in the areas of income security, health security and health care, long-term care, and housing and living arrangements. The importance of this book lies in the fact that it addresses the lack of planning by both the Baby Boomers and services providers, and identifies steps to be taken, with particular emphasis given to needed changes in the education of health and social service professionals to prepare them for what lies ahead.

1. Introduction: An Unsuspecting Future, Helen Rehr
2. Overview: Current Seniors, Baby Boomers, Minorities, and Health Disparities
3. A Baby Boomerís Perception of the Baby Boom Era, Sue Woodman
4. Income Security: Social Security, Work, Pensions, and Savings
5. Health Care Security: Medicare, Medicaid, Health Insurance, And Health Care Delivery
6. Long Term Care. Who Will Care For Us?
7. End-of-Life Care, Karen O. Kaplan
8. Retirement, Lifestyles, and Roles: Leisure, Volunteering, and Work
9. Living Arrangements
10. Aging in Place: Shaping Communities for Tomorrowís Baby Boomers --Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), Fredda Vladeck
11. Health Care Professionals and Their Education
12. Community Collaboration and Advocacy
13. Can My Eighties Be Like My Fifties? Conclusions and Recommendations