Generational Inspirations:Aging, Strength & Diversity

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., FAGHE, FGSAMarilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., FAGHE, FGSADirector, Geriatric Education and ResearchDirector, Geriatric Education and Research

University of New England University of New England College of Osteopathic MedicineCollege of Osteopathic Medicine

April 19, 2007April 19, 2007

Objectives

Differentiate generational values and how Differentiate generational values and how these may impact how one cares for or these may impact how one cares for or communicates with older personscommunicates with older persons

Identify strategies that decrease Identify strategies that decrease generational differences to enhance generational differences to enhance interactions with older personsinteractions with older persons

Gerontology

Study of aging process and individuals as they Study of aging process and individuals as they grow from midlife through later lifegrow from midlife through later life

The study of The study of physicalphysical, , mentalmental and and socialsocial changes changes

The investigation of the changes in The investigation of the changes in societysociety resulting from our aging populationresulting from our aging population

The application of this knowledge to The application of this knowledge to policiespolicies andand programsprograms

Geriatrics

The study of The study of healthhealth and and diseasedisease in later life in later life

The The comprehensivecomprehensive health carehealth care of older of older personspersons

The The well-beingwell-being of their informal of their informal caregiverscaregivers

So what IS a Generation, anyway??

A group of people who can be:A group of people who can be: Demographically identified by biological Demographically identified by biological

trends; andtrends; and Have shared experiences…Have shared experiences…

Only Kidding…

Generational Identity

Events and Conditions we experience Events and Conditions we experience during our formative years defines what during our formative years defines what influences influences WWho We Are ho We Are How We View the World How We View the World

Point to Remember

The generation we grow up in is just The generation we grow up in is just oneone of the influences on adult behavior.of the influences on adult behavior.

Four Generations At Work

Silent Generation (born 1925-1942)Silent Generation (born 1925-1942) Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960)Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960) Generation XGeneration X (born 1961-1981) (born 1961-1981) Generation Y/Millenials (born 1982-2001)Generation Y/Millenials (born 1982-2001)

Futuristic Generation (born 2002 - )Futuristic Generation (born 2002 - )

Lost Generation (born 1883-1900)Lost Generation (born 1883-1900)G.I. Generation (born 1901-1924)G.I. Generation (born 1901-1924)

Silent Generation

Aka - Traditionalists

Born 1925 - 1942Born 1925 - 1942

Silent Generation

50 million born as Silents50 million born as Silents ““Generation without a cause“Generation without a cause“ Desired job security Desired job security Early marrying ages: Male avg 23/Female avg 20 Early marrying ages: Male avg 23/Female avg 20 Started divorce epidemic Started divorce epidemic Cold war generation Cold war generation Conformity encouraged: "children should be seen and Conformity encouraged: "children should be seen and

not heard" not heard" Brought the US civil rights and unparalleled economic Brought the US civil rights and unparalleled economic

and artistic wealthand artistic wealth

Silent Generation

Marching orders: Do as you're asked. Show up on time. Marching orders: Do as you're asked. Show up on time. Never question authority.Never question authority. Their mothers taught them well.Their mothers taught them well.

Silents are panicking as they hit their 60’s and 70’s Silents are panicking as they hit their 60’s and 70’s They wonder, "Have we really lived?"They wonder, "Have we really lived?" They didn't save the world like the previous They didn't save the world like the previous

generation. Their war was Korea. generation. Their war was Korea. Who's heard of Who's heard of that? that?

They didn't squeeze life for all its satisfactions the way They didn't squeeze life for all its satisfactions the way Boomers have.Boomers have.

Silent Generation Today, many Silents retire early Today, many Silents retire early (95% so far)(95% so far), choosing to , choosing to

divorce their former selves, finally following their divorce their former selves, finally following their bliss. bliss.

They have been waiting. Deferring what they really They have been waiting. Deferring what they really want to do, postponing the person they really want to want to do, postponing the person they really want to be. be. ““It's as if we were working, getting along, It's as if we were working, getting along,

conforming and doing that which was expected, conforming and doing that which was expected, and BAM! Like lightening, the realization hit us and BAM! Like lightening, the realization hit us that we only go around once and it's time to start that we only go around once and it's time to start living it on our own terms.”living it on our own terms.”

Baby Boomers

Born 1943-1960

Boomer Generation

76 million Boomers76 million Boomers ““Boom” in birthrates after WWIIBoom” in birthrates after WWII Had stay-at-home mom’sHad stay-at-home mom’s TV became popularTV became popular The 1960’s defined the BoomersThe 1960’s defined the Boomers Developed personalities that mixed high Developed personalities that mixed high

self-esteem with self indulgenceself-esteem with self indulgence

Boomer’s Sayings

Groovy... Hot...Funky, Neat or Super NeatGroovy... Hot...Funky, Neat or Super Neat They were "beatniks, hooligans, no counts, hoods, They were "beatniks, hooligans, no counts, hoods,

whippersnappers, cry-babies, spoiled-rottens, The whippersnappers, cry-babies, spoiled-rottens, The Kids Who Did Not Walk Three Miles To School-Kids Who Did Not Walk Three Miles To School-ers." ers."

““Each generation looks older, slower and dopier Each generation looks older, slower and dopier to the next one, until that generation ages enough to the next one, until that generation ages enough to realize they aren't the center of the universe, to realize they aren't the center of the universe, either. Gee.”either. Gee.”

Generation X

Aka – Thirteeners (13th Generation); Slackers

Born 1961-1981

Gen X 60 million of them60 million of them Described as tough to motivate, too expectant, lazy, Described as tough to motivate, too expectant, lazy,

skeptics, and lonersskeptics, and loners Grew up with highest divorce rates ever, computers, Grew up with highest divorce rates ever, computers,

and AIDS "latch-key kids" and AIDS "latch-key kids" Roe v. Wade (1981) legalized abortionRoe v. Wade (1981) legalized abortion Dotcom jobs leaving many without job security Dotcom jobs leaving many without job security

                                                  Cold war ends/Challenger explodes Cold war ends/Challenger explodes Strong individualism Strong individualism

GENERATION X

Drawn to opportunities that offer them Drawn to opportunities that offer them opportunities to learn, enjoy, and be recognized opportunities to learn, enjoy, and be recognized

Describe Describe themselvesthemselves as caring, committed and as caring, committed and seeking opportunities for learning and leadership seeking opportunities for learning and leadership

Value frequent feedback on their performance, Value frequent feedback on their performance, recognition, increased responsibility and exposure recognition, increased responsibility and exposure to decision-makers to decision-makers

Attracting and retaining them in the workplace Attracting and retaining them in the workplace will depend upon an organization’s ability to be will depend upon an organization’s ability to be flexible, adaptive and responsive to their needs.flexible, adaptive and responsive to their needs.

Generation Y

Aka – Millennium Generation; i.generation Echo BoomersEcho Boomers

Born 1982-2001

Gen Y 57 million strong57 million strong More racially diverse (1 out of 3 consider More racially diverse (1 out of 3 consider

themselves non-Caucasian). themselves non-Caucasian). 1 out of every 4 lives in a single-parent environment1 out of every 4 lives in a single-parent environment 3 in every 4 have working mothers.3 in every 4 have working mothers. Largest consumer group in the history of the U.S. Largest consumer group in the history of the U.S. Most valued traits are individuality and uniqueness Most valued traits are individuality and uniqueness Have a global and diverse perspective that other Have a global and diverse perspective that other

generations did not havegenerations did not have

GENERATION Y

Can be cynical and driven by a need for instant Can be cynical and driven by a need for instant gratification – gratification – spends $172 billion a year; saves $39 billionspends $172 billion a year; saves $39 billion

Their strengths are adaptability, innovativeness, Their strengths are adaptability, innovativeness, efficiency, resiliency, tolerance and commitment efficiency, resiliency, tolerance and commitment Challenge is motivating to them and can help in Challenge is motivating to them and can help in

retaining them for a sustained period retaining them for a sustained period

To engage this group, organizations need to tell To engage this group, organizations need to tell the truth, explain the why, tune in to their the truth, explain the why, tune in to their frequency, make them a star, and look for frequency, make them a star, and look for rewarding opportunities rewarding opportunities

Events and Experiences

Silents:Silents: Great DepressionGreat Depression New Deal 1933-38New Deal 1933-38 World War IIWorld War II Korean WarKorean War

Boomers:Boomers: Civil RightsCivil Rights Sexual RevolutionSexual Revolution Cold WarCold War Space travelSpace travel AssassinationsAssassinations

Xers:Xers: Fall of Berlin WallFall of Berlin Wall WatergateWatergate Women’s LiberationWomen’s Liberation Desert StormDesert Storm Energy CrisisEnergy Crisis

Gen Y/Millenials:Gen Y/Millenials: School shootingsSchool shootings Oklahoma CityOklahoma City TechnologyTechnology Child focused worldChild focused world Clinton / LewinskyClinton / Lewinsky

ValuesSilents:Silents: Hard workHard work Dedication & sacrificeDedication & sacrifice Respect for rulesRespect for rules Duty before pleasureDuty before pleasure HonorHonor

Boomers:Boomers: OptimismOptimism Team orientationTeam orientation Personal gratificationPersonal gratification InvolvementInvolvement Personal growthPersonal growth

Xers:Xers: DiversityDiversity Techno literacyTechno literacy Fun and informalityFun and informality Self-relianceSelf-reliance PragmatismPragmatism

Millenials:Millenials: OptimisticOptimistic Feel civic dutyFeel civic duty ConfidentConfident Achievement orientedAchievement oriented Respect for diversityRespect for diversity

Each Generation Has Its Themes

SilentGeneration

Baby Boomers

Generation X

GenerationY

Hard Work

Personal Fulfillment

Uncertainty “What’s Next?”

Duty Optimism Personal Focus

On My Terms

Sacrifice Crusading Causes

Live for Today

Just Show Up

Thriftiness Buy Now/Pay Later

Save, Save, Save

Earn to Spend

Work Fast

Work Efficiently

Eliminatethe Task

Do Exactly What’s Asked

Source: Center for Generational Studies

To sum it up…

Generational Interaction: An Example

Traditionalists and Boomers may have a tendency Traditionalists and Boomers may have a tendency not to question or challenge authority or the status not to question or challenge authority or the status quo.quo.

This may cause confusion and resentment among theThis may cause confusion and resentment among the

Xers and Millenials who have been taught to speakXers and Millenials who have been taught to speak

up. up.

Generational Interaction: An Example

Xers and Y’s whoXers and Y’s who

have had different lifehave had different life

experiences andexperiences and

communicate with peoplecommunicate with people

differently, may fail todifferently, may fail to

actively listen to Boomersactively listen to Boomers

and Silentsand Silents

thereby missing valuablethereby missing valuable

information and guidance.information and guidance.

Generational Awareness…

Like the water the Like the water the fish swim in…they fish swim in…they don’t even know don’t even know it’s there.it’s there.

The KEY is to take The KEY is to take time to get to know time to get to know a person as an a person as an individual rather individual rather than applying than applying stereotypes.stereotypes.

Generations-Back to Back

Back-to-Back Experience Pick a partnerPick a partner Set up so one person is facing the screen the other person is Set up so one person is facing the screen the other person is

facing away from the screenfacing away from the screen The person facing away from the screen should have a piece The person facing away from the screen should have a piece

of paper and pen/pencilof paper and pen/pencil A picture will be projected onto the screen, it will be a A picture will be projected onto the screen, it will be a

combination of geometric shapes (circles, squares, combination of geometric shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, triangles)rectangles, triangles)

Part APart A - the person with the paper can - the person with the paper can onlyonly ask yes and no ask yes and no questions and must try to recreate the image that is projected questions and must try to recreate the image that is projected on the screen with the answers they receive from their on the screen with the answers they receive from their partner - NO CONVERSATIONAL TALKpartner - NO CONVERSATIONAL TALK

Communication

55%BodyLanguage

38%VoiceTone

7%Words

Communication Non-verbal communication ☺ Posture ☺ Facial expressions☺ Appearance ☺ Type of touch ☺ Body Movements ☺ “Air” of Confidence☺ Hair style ☺ Body position while listening☺ Clothing ☺ Breathing☺ Eye contact ☺ Voice tone☺ Standing position ☺ Proximity to others The face, eyes, body, clothing, gestures, and touch speak volumes to others about your beliefs, attitudes, and values. This is also true of communication from your patients. Listen, look and observe to determine what they are “saying.”

Student Living as an Elder: Nursing Home Resident Project

College/Medical Students are admitted into College/Medical Students are admitted into NH to live the life of an elder residentNH to live the life of an elder resident

Ethnographic Research Ethnographic Research Experience lasts a minimum of 2 weeksExperience lasts a minimum of 2 weeks

Outcomes from NH Project

Living as elder precipitated 4 frustrations: Living as elder precipitated 4 frustrations: Time DisorientationTime Disorientation Lack of Independence Lack of Independence Lack of TouchLack of Touch Waiting for what felt like endless periodsWaiting for what felt like endless periods

These frustrations created:These frustrations created: DepressionDepression Decreased appetiteDecreased appetite LonelinessLoneliness

Discussion

Be sure to hug an older person or Be sure to hug an older person or someone with gray hair…someone with gray hair…