Surfing the Silver Tsunami: Pros and Cons of an Aging Society

Hi friends,

Even though I try to do the whole “be in the moment” thing… I’m really ready for winter to be over. Luckily, there are already tiny signs of nature waking up, and I’m so happy to see hints of green again!

Speaking of colors (how’s that for a segue?) this month I want to look at what is called “the silver tsunami”. Aside from being a potentially amazing name for some dad-rock cover band, it is also a phrase used when talking about our rapidly aging population. The truth is, we do have a lot headed our way. As the baby boomer generation (love you guys) ages, we will face significant strain to our current healthcare systems. In this newsletter we will take a look at the pros and cons of the situation. Talking about it now is going to help us a lot in how we meet all of these demands in the future.

Keep scrolling for my book, podcast, artwork, and song of March. This month’s comic at the very end will probably feel particularly relatable to many.

Your readership and support means so much to me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or a loved one need to talk about any end of life issues. I’m here for you.

Death Over Drafts was wonderful!

We had such a great turnout for Death Over Drafts last week! Heron’s Flight co-hosted with Bucks County Elder Law, and we were generously sponsored by Amedisys Health Care. It’s always incredible to get to know some of the most intimate thoughts of people I’ve only just met, thanks to the conversation prompts provided by The Death Deck.

To get to talk so openly about our opinions and feelings towards life and death is a really unique bonding experience. If you didn’t make it this time- don’t fret! We will get started shortly on planning the next one, and we will keep you posted!

The Silver Tsunami is a term used to describe the shift that is coming as the baby boomer generation ages and retires from the workforce.

A Selection of Issues the Silver Tsunami Brings:

Healthcare Strain – There will be a significantly increased demand for medical services. Our system is already spread incredibly thin, and covid gave us a glimpse of what happens when we test it even further.
Caregiving Shortages – There has been a consistent decline in professional caregivers largely due to burnout and low wages. Additionally, families are increasingly spread out, making it harder to care for one another.
Financial Strain on Social Systems – Rising costs for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and fewer working-age folks contributing may contribute to issues with these valuable programs. Not to mention the current political landscape and how that will end up impacting these important resources.
End-of-Life Care – Greater demand for hospice and palliative care will likely lead to more quality concerns and availability issues.

But here are some exciting positives of the Silver Tsunami:

Increase in Elder Care Innovations – With this increased need in elder care we will hopefully see a lot of in growth in services available (like doulas!) and technology usage.
Longer, Healthier Lives – Advances in medicine and wellness mean many older adults get to remain active and engaged longer. As our quantity of life extends, we will get to look at how to equally extend the quality.
Greater Awareness of End-of-Life Care – With so many people 65+, there will be more conversations about hospice, palliative care, and end of life doulas. Awareness and knowledge will go a long way in easing anxiety and fear.
Cultural Shift Toward Aging Positively – Here’s to the baby boomers destigmatization of aging! We are already seeing celebrities address aging in a positive way (okay, some of them) and the attitudes toward those later in life is likely to shift.

Sure, I’m biased, but end of life doulas are going to be incredibly important resources as we venture forward into this uncharted territory. By filling in the important gaps in care and having ample time for connection and conversation, doulas help ease burnout and frustration among families and healthcare workers alike. I’ve seen it work and it’s pretty cool!

Ultimately, I do believe we will be able to surf this tsunami—it’s just going to take a lot of community building, dedication, and care.

Further reading:

Bracing for the Silver Tsunami - Forbes

Should You Fear the Silver Tsunami? - New York Times

Overcoming the Silver Tsunami- American Society on Aging

Book

The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martin Prechtel is a beautiful meditation on grief and its inextricable link with praise. A former shaman in the Tzutujil Maya tradition, Prechtel looks at what our modern culture could learn from indigenous tribes and their public rituals around grief. The knowledge he shares is incredibly eye opening and changed some of the ways I look at birth, death, and even pet ownership (if you read it you’ll see what I mean). Learn more here.

Podcast

The Ecstasy of an Open Brain is a Radiolab episode that is more about aging than you may initially think! Radiolab dives into one of the most beneficial things we can do as we get older— keeping an open mind. Check it out here.

Artwork

Artist Samira Marie is the mastermind behind The Funky Nana’s. Samira uses an AI program to create these fun loving gals. To be candid, I don’t know how I feel about AI art yet. Still, I find some of the creations are so delightful that I can’t help but love them.

“The Nanas are here to show that life does not have to be boring after reaching 50. They show that all you need to live a good life is a smile, loads of curiosity and great friends.” - Samira Marie

Song

“No longer easy on the eyes but these wrinkles masterfully disguise the youthful boy below”

If you haven’t gone through the inevitable Death Cab for Cutie phase yet- welcome! It’s never too late. This band has recorded some truly stunning songs. “Brother’s on a Hotel Bed” was released in 2005 and touches on themes of aging and identity in a wonderfully thoughtful way.

Comic

By Bob Eckstein

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