WHO WILL CARE FOR THE BOOMERS?

When Harrison and Heather Boomer got married in 1966, they decided to pursue careers: him in law, her in advertising. With dual incomes, they led the good life of travel, fine restaurants, theater, pricey wines (they didn't understand), twin BMWs, and all things that goes with high disposable income.

They decided to have one precious child, on whom they lavished an English nanny, private schools, tutors and all kinds of entertainment, from clowns to ponies.

Which is what got them into the trouble they now face on their sixtieth birthdays.

Who will take care of them when they become sickly and frail? Not their precious child, who married and has three children of her own to look after.

Perhaps the answer is assisted living centers or home health care services.

But there's just one trouble.

Who will be available to staff those centers and services?

By having just one child, the Boomers didn't provide enough boots on the ground in health care.

There's a widely publicized nursing shortage, which is already hurting health care. (In hospitals, nurses serving seven patients have far poorer results than those serving five patients.)

What is not widely publicized is the tremendous shortage of other health care professionals. We're running short on physician assistants, lab technicians, pharmacists, pharmacist assistants, ER technicians, paramedics, dental hygienists, dental assistants, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, opticians, home health care workers, orderlies and other health care professionals.

Even though health care is our second fastest growing economic sector, the expansion is too slow to provide the help the Boomers may require in the years ahead. At this time, 20% of the elderly are not receiving the care they need.

There are now 12 million health workers in the USA, but that number is small compared with the growing demand of an aging population. In 2005, almost 19% of the population was over 60. But in ten years, it will be 22%. By 2025, the elderly will comprise 24% of us. And that percentage will keep growing as science discovers more ways to combat disease and extend lifespans. (The folks manning the microscopes have just discovered a gene which tends to make people live to be a hundred.)

In later years, half of the Boomers in the world may find themselves without health care. There simply won't be enough people to provide it.

They may call 911, but who will come?

Why don't more people go into health care?

There are five reasons:

1. Too few workers. (The Boomers preferred lattes to children.)

2. The pay is terrible. (Would you work for $10 an hour?)

3. Except for doctors, health care professionals are seen as low status. (Have you met my son, the orderly?)

4. The work is dangerous. Hazards include back injuries, illness, needle stick injuries, latex allergies, stress and violence. (How would you like to be a 135-pound home health care worker charged with lifting a 270-pound man off his bed?)

5. Federal, state and local governments are doing almost nothing to plan for the crises in health care. (They're far too busy ducking their duties to properly fund Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.)

Is there any kind of good news for the Boomers?

Yes. Mexico.

Bring in the Mexicans. Lots of Mexicans. Legal and otherwise. They are remarkably hard workers, willing to put in long hours performing the arduous, dirty jobs we gringos won't touch.

(click here for a printable version of this article)