Health Care
Baby Boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964. For this assignment you are going to interview a boomer. Ask the questions which follow and summarize the answers. Please number each question and write the answer below. Please note, be sure the formatting is correct when you submit.
If you are a Baby Boomer, interview another Boomer. Remember, this is an interview so I am not asking you when and where you were born, you are asking the person you are interviewing.
1. Describe the person you are interviewing. Give me a mental picture.
2. Where and when were you born? Please describe. If your boomer was born in another country, ask her/him to describe what it was like living there.
3. In your opinion, what was the most important historical period or event you lived through? Describe.
4. What is the biggest change you have observed in how people live their everyday lives? Describe.
5. What period of your life has been the best so far? Why?
6. What’s the one thing you have always wanted to do but have not done yet?
7. What advice would you give young people to help them prepare for older age?
8. Have you experienced any negative attitudes or discrimination because of your age, race/ethnicity or sexual orientation? Explain?
Questions for you after you have completed your interview.
9. What did you learn from your boomer? Did this surprise you? Explain.
10. Did your boomer conform to your mental picture of an older adult? Why or why not?
11. Did this interview change your opinion about ageing and older adults?
12. How did this interview reflect your prior experience with older adults? Did it reinforce or change your prior experience?
13. What did you learn about your ability to change your opinion when confronted with information you didn’t expect?
Interviewing a Baby Boomer
I interviewed my grandfather. He was born in 1947. Therefore, he is a baby boomer. My grandfather is an exceptional man; I find him strong as he is still an active member who manages to host us for the family thanksgivings every year. He, however, likes to complain about the young generations and how we are not hardened enough. Some days he wonders who will fight the wars for us, and most of the time, I tell him that there will be no wars for us to fight because we are finding better ways of solving issues apart from going to the battlefield.
Baby Boomer answers
He was born in Michigan in January of 1947. Living in Michigan during my time was a different kind of experience. America has not been the way it is today, and therefore there were many different interesting events, including the race wars. These were some of the most challenging times, but they also made life worth living. The most interesting historical period I have lived through so watching the country transition and having a black president. Obama was one of the best historical events I have lived through as it showed that our country was progressing in the right direction, and although it is happening slowly, we are growing as a country.
The most significant change I have seen in how people live their everyday lives is eating habits and physical exercise. There are more lifestyle diseases now compared to when I was growing up. People no longer have time to participate in physical activities. They also do not eat healthy meals, which is sad as more people have diabetes, heart conditions, and obesity. Children nowadays spend most of their time on gadgets and do not have time to have conversations or participate in other activities.
The best period of my life has been as an older adult. Retiring and watching my grandchildren grow and have more time for my family. I thought that if I stopped working, I would be depressed, but so far, I have had enough time to travel, spend time with family and friends, and watch my eating habits. This has been the best period of my life.
The one thing I have always wanted to do and never got to it was attending therapy. As a young person, I was depressed and almost went to therapy at some point. However, the people in my generation did things differently, and I never got to it.
Old age is what you make it when you are younger. Spend your time wisely while young, invest in your body and family as those are the ones that will get you through your old age. Money is important, but health is more important. Take care of it so that you do not burden your family when you grow older.
Yes, I have experienced discrimination for my age, but I never let it get to me. Some things are easier when you let them go than when you hold on to them.
Lessons Learned
The one thing I learned from my interview with the baby boomer is that old age is not as bad as I thought it was made out to be. I was surprised by this fact. The boomer was cheery and happy about growing older and was not as depressed as though he would be about talking about old age. This interview changed my mind about old age. It also inspired me to make better choices if I want to have a productive old age. I have had experiences with older adults who are depressed and tired of life. My interview changed the experience, and I realized not all older adults require supervision as some are capable on their own and have accepted their situation. I realized that there are different stories, and therefore it is important to have an open mind when it comes to various topics. I also learned that I am open-minded.
