Although the senior population is healthier, more active, and living longer than any other in the nation's history, Okun does not believe that society has done a good job of increasing active life expectancy. Seniors should be given a more active role in the future. Useful resources are lost when a society fails to give someone a chance simply because they are older. Fortunately, gerontologists are exploring ways to improve the quality of life for seniors so they can continue to live actively and relatively free of disease. Today's active senior lifestyle affects not only health, but the way in which the tourism industry and senior centers cater to their clientele.
Education is an important part of that service.
That translates into a lifelong quest for experience and education, something already hinted at in both adventure travel and adult education. There's no question that the boomers will change the definition of retirement. Education will be a key. There will be plenty of older people to serve. Based on information gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2020, demographers predict that one in five Americans will be older than age 65.