Perceptions about aging differ from person to person, generation to generation, and country to country. This paper sets out to explore the difference between grandparents and baby boomers; whether baby boomers are younger, energetic, or are similar; the differences in our perceptions of aging today versus 30 years ago, the image that comes in our minds when we think about older adult today compared to 30 years ago and finally, propose the ideal age of older adults. Our perceptions of adults are influenced by our cultural backgrounds, time, and social environment. In my view, grandparents or older adults are those people who provide expertise in important decision-making forums, have wisdom, provide leadership in controversial circumstances, are averse to things, socialize the new generations about the beliefs, values, norms, and traditions in that community or society (Cole, 1992). Compared with the baby boomers, grandparents are more knowledgeable in our cultural issues.
There is a difference between grandparents and baby boomers in terms of energy and age. Whether the baby boomers are younger, more energetic, or the same, is subject to the perceiver. Nowadays, older adults are active and like exercising in order to keep fit and healthy. They are staunch believers in modern-day medicine and they watch keenly what they consume. They consume those foods that are said to be ‘traditional’ – cooked without additives. Older adults like sporting activities, traveling, and other hobbies. A difference between the past generations, the baby boomers and the older adults is that the former is believed to be less important and not much vibrant about living. Also, older people lead a healthy lifestyle and live a sort of like ‘giving back’ life to their bodies. In the event of any physical challenge or would like to know more about ways to remain energetic and appear younger. They visit the internet to read about healthy life and healthful living. This attitude of the older citizens is very important to their bodies. As the aging process begins, the preferences in life change. Generally, some of the significant issues like career, child upbringing, and financial freedom are not important to older people. Therefore, it is imperative for the baby boomers to be more relaxed, more adaptable, and lead a stress-free life. This is the most pressing issue to the baby boomers and even to the present-day generations. The old acknowledge that living a simple life and finding someone to reveal your feelings is vital compared to thinking about financial freedom and social status.
Today, there are significant differences in how we perceive aging adults versus 30 years ago. Things have drastically changed. Old age life is not the same as the past generations old age experiences. Over three decades ago, 60 years the beginning of aging
In the past years, many people were persuaded that elders lived a comfortable life. They think that in the pre-industrial era, a few people lived to old age and those who made it were honored. A renowned British historian, Pat Thane, noted that because of the prevailing conditions at that time, our forefathers were threatened by health issues of old age, not only in western countries but also in the rest of the globe (Thane, 2000). However, nowadays, most elders are free from ailments, struggles of old age, or any other suffering that were common in the past centuries. In the past, old people were not as few as compared to date. But, instead of appreciating this tremendous progress made in the changes in the lives of the elderly, policymakers, economists and other stakeholders are troubled about taking care of the increasing numbers of the elderly. The image that comes to mind when I think of an older adult today versus 30 years ago is old people are wise, good, caring, gray-haired, have wrinkles, use a walking stick, a man or woman with historical stories that are interesting, and has more experience when it comes to life issues. The old people are mostly taken to be grandparents. The old people range from 60 years and above. In conclusion, different people all over the world have different perceptions about the baby boomers and senior citizens. In a nutshell, the diverse views of the people whether negative or positive are more or less the same across the world. Older people in society need love, care, and quality health care to enjoy a decent life (Nelson, 2002).
References
Cole, R., (1992). The Journey of Life: A Cultural History of Aging in America. London: Cambridge University Press.
Nelson, T. D. (2002). Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older persons. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Thane, P., (2000). Old Age in English History: Past Experiences, Present Issues. London: Oxford University Press.