Baby boomers – growing older but getting on with life?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the findings from a research project that explored the mental health experiences and expectations of the so-called “baby boomer” population born between 1946 and 1955 who are now moving into later life.

Design/methodology/approach

The research combined primary and secondary research, and a panel of experts. The primary research was both quantitative and qualitative.

Findings

Findings covered issues of identity, health and wellbeing, family and relationships, work, occupation, retirement and financial security, as well as key implications for policy makers, opinion formers and decision makers.

Research limitations/implications

The “baby boomer” cohort is extremely large and to provide definitive findings on such a wide range of aspects that potentially influence their mental health requires a much larger study than this as well as one that focuses on particular sub-groups of this cohort. It also raises the question of similarities and differences between this cohort and the second wave of baby boomers born between the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Originality/value

This is an important piece of research, drawing together a wide range of resources and data to provide a unique overview of a key dimension of health for this group in the population which because of their numbers as well as perceived shared life experiences will be of great interest to policy makers, academics and the media, as well as members of this population cohort and people who have an interest in them.

Citation

Williamson, T. (2013), "Baby boomers – growing older but getting on with life?", Working with Older People, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 157-163. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-08-2013-0020