Baby Boomers may have boomed out

William Atkins
Sunday, 15 November 2009 17:15

Science - Health

According to a UCLA study of trends in disability within older adults in the United States (especially in the Baby Boomer generation), a disturbing trend was found: much more physical disabilities than the previous generation.


A team of researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) analyzed federal disability data from the 1988 and 1999 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

They were looking for changes in disability trends among older adults in the United States.

Specifically, they were looking at people within the “Baby Boomer” generation, or that large group of people born during the post-World War II baby boom—that is, those born between 1946 and 1964.

The researchers concentrated on four areas for their study: (1) basic daily living activities (such as dressing), (2) instrumental activities (such as managing money), (3) functional limitations (ability to get up from a kneeling position), and (4) mobility (such as walking and climbing stairs).

The researchers found between 1988 and 1990, people in their 60s increased their percentage of disability between 40% and 70% within three of the four areas of concentration.

Some of the findings of people analyzed between 1988 and 1990 are:

•    70% of Baby Boomers are more likely to have difficulty walking between rooms, getting in and out of bed, and/or eating and dressing.

•    70% of Baby Boomers are more likely to have difficulty doing household chores, preparing daily meals, and/or managing their finances.

•    50% of Baby Boomers more likely to have difficulty walking one-quarter of a mile and/or walking up ten steps without stopping.

•    40% of Baby Boomers more likely to have difficulty stooping, crouching, or kneeling; lifting or carrying ten pounds; and/or standing from an armless chair.

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