Welcome to the second of three installments of the new Chesapeake Retirement Guide, a series of short articles, useful information, and resource listings to help you begin and enjoy your retirement journey. Enjoy!
The Big Boom
As the Baby Boomer generation ages into retirement, there are options aplenty to live an active, civic, and vibrant life in Maryland
By Lisa Nolan
Baby Boomers, the generation that has been credited with changing the cultural landscape, is also shifting what growing older—and retiring— is all about. The baby boomers are considered the healthiest, best educated, and most affluent generation ever. Their impact on society has been huge—and now, they are taking that influence with them as they move into their retirement years.
It’s clear that keeping baby boomers in Maryland is important. In fact, recent studies show that Maryland’s 1.4 million baby boomers represent 24 percent of the state’s population, according to census numbers. In 2023, the oldest boomers will be turning 77 and the youngest will be 59. For everything from housing to healthcare to entertainment and beyond, the baby boomer generation represents a tremendous economic asset to the state.
So, what is Maryland doing to keep them here? “Options, choices, and opportunities for living and aging well in our communities and the State of Maryland are what it’s all about,” says Maureen Cavaiola, who served as chair of Maryland’s Baby Boomer Initiative Council from 2010–2015. The Council was initially established 2007 to focus on building public-private partnerships geared towards developing a statewide strategic plan for Maryland’s baby boomer population.
“We looked at creating strategies not only to meet the needs of boomers, but also to capitalize on the group’s talents, skills, and energy to benefit the state’s economic and civic development,” Cavaiola notes.
One of the Council’s key areas of focus was workforce development efforts to allow workers to continue to contribute. During Cavaiola’s tenure, “Half of Maryland’s workforce became eligible to retire, creating a significant [employment] ‘drain.’ We looked at options to keep those people engaged and productive.”
Ideas include allowing older people who no longer can—or want—to be employed full-time to work at their own pace by, for example, offering part-time or teleworking opportunities. Other possibilities include mentorship programs, in which individuals are involved in training the next generation of workers. “It takes looking at things differently, so you keep retirees here and interested,” Cavaiola says. Bottom line: enabling baby boomers to remain active in the workforce can benefit both employers and older employees.
Civic engagement is another key area of interest for the Council and represents a significant economic driver for the state. A recent report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that 29.4 percent of Marylanders volunteer each year, totaling nearly 200 million hours of service, with a value of $4.2 billion to local citizens and communities.
“When you are talking about baby boomers, we have all of this education and ambition—it’s essential to who we are,” Cavaiola says. “We may not want to focus on our career anymore, but we still want to contribute to things that are important to us. Those activities can be full-time jobs, even though they are not paid.”
Livable communities are also part of the Council’s focus. The American Association of Retired People (AARP) describes a livable community as having affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and adequate transportation options. They combine personal independence with the ability for residents to maintain a strong civic and social life.
“With baby boomers, we are often looking at people who can retire anywhere, so in Maryland, we need to look at housing, transportation, and infrastructure because as people age, those things will be critically important for them to be able to stay,” Cavaiola suggests.
Ideas include modifying housing and rental laws that reflect boomers’ desire to stay in their own homes but perhaps rent to others and transportation options that enable older people to continue to get around easily and economically.
The Council also looked at health as a major factor in baby boomers’ ability to continue working or being involved in civic activities. “It’s in the State’s best interest to encourage boomers to maintain healthy lifestyles,” Cavaiola says, who sites her own choices of going to the gym and eating right as an important part of her desire to remain healthy and independent.
Medical care, at-home care, and healthcare facilities, as well as other services that people will need as they retire, are all critically important to keeping older residents in the state. The healthcare aspect and options of retirement are huge for baby boomers. (Note: For retirees and seniors considering aging-in-place options, please refer to the accompanying article “10 Things to Know About Assisted Living.”)
While the Council focused on improvements in these key areas, “When it comes to retiring and staying in Maryland, it really comes down to the quality-of-life factors that brought you here in the first place,” Cavaiola says. “Still, wouldn’t it be wonderful for Maryland to be a national leader in creating opportunities for boomers? What if younger people saw lifelong options for baby boomers and knew those options would be here for them when they retire? That would be great for the state and for Maryland’s baby boomers.”
10 Things to know about Assisted Living
Special considerations for transitioning to support-care facilities
1. When is it time for assisted living?
Deciding to move a family member into an assisted living residence can be a difficult situation. When a family member begins to require a level of care that you can no longer safely handle on your own, assisted living may be your best option. Assisted living provides an alternative for long-term care for your loved one who does not require skilled nursing care in a nursing home.
2. What is assisted living?
Assisted living is a type of housing for older adults that provides 24-hour supervision and support services to help individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living.
3. What services are provided?
Meal preparation, household chores, medication management, and assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming are some of the services an assisted living facility can provide. Assisted living facilities are required to contract with a licensed registered nurse to oversee the clinical care provided to its residents.
4. How do I choose an assisted living residence?
Begin by speaking with family and friends to obtain information and personal recommendations. Next, make a list of features that will be important for your family member. Things to take into consideration include the price, location, and any amenities that are offered by the facility.
5. Are there any resources to help with finding an assisted living residence?
To help you narrow your search, you may want to contact the Assisted Living Program of your county’s department of aging and disabilities or department of health. Staff are available to answer your questions and assist you with narrowing your choices based on your individual needs and preferences. Once you have a list of residences to visit, you can begin to set up appointments to take a tour.
6. When should I schedule my visit?
Consider visiting the facility during mealtime to get a better picture of the routine of the facility. It may also be beneficial to schedule a second visit at a different time in the day to observe activities and staff interactions with residents. Address any concerns with the assisted living manager.
7. What should I look for when I visit?
When you tour a residence, be sure to request a copy of the residence’s Uniform Disclosure Statement. This document provides information about which services the residence provides and whether the fee for that service is included in the monthly housing fee. It is important to know what is included in the base monthly rate, what services are available at an additional cost, and the circumstances under which fees may increase.
8. My family has chosen an assisted living residence. What next?
Request a copy of the Resident Agreement (contract). Be sure you understand the commitment you are making before signing. Consider having the Resident Agreement reviewed by an attorney.
9. Are there any financial resources?
Generally, the cost of assisted living is covered by the individual’s income and savings. Long-term care insurance policies may cover some of expenses for a specific period of time. Veterans and their spouses may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit to help with the cost of assisted living. For low-income seniors, the Medicaid Community Options Waiver and Senior Assisted Living Subsidy are two programs offering financial assistance.
10. Is there anything else I need to know?
Do your homework. Take time to visit different residences, interview staff and residents, and check survey reports. Get all of your questions answered to your satisfaction by the assisted living staff and trust your instincts.
“10 Things to Know About Assisted Living” is adapted from the article of the same name appearing in the 2022–2023 edition of The Directory, a publication produced by What’s Up? Media in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Dept. of Aging & Disabilities and Senior Provider Group.
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