Gerontology

With gerontology boomers beginning to collect their social security checks, this article challenges gerontology professionals to transform the jobs, services, programs, and institutions that will allow the boomers to realize their dreams and goals. Gerontology educators, practitioners, and researchers will need to collaborate with boomers who have a history of creating change and are likely to redefine retirement. This article describes the boomer cohort, provides a brief summary of an empowerment paradigm, offers six examples of movements that are beginning to empower boomers, and ends with a call to action. According to the author, there is a need to educate our colleagues and the general public about the innovations that are emerging, evaluate them in a broader and more coordinated way, and help promote them by partnering with the coming cohort of gerontology boomers.