Editorial L ast week, I spotted an interesting headline in the business section of the Globe and Mail. It was about ‘the boomer shift’. The title got me thinking about what this means for us, as oncology nurses. I realize I could be seen as slightly biased—given I am right in the middle of the boomer age group and it all feels very relevant—but I think there are issues beyond me, as an individual, that will have a large influence on cancer control and, thus, on cancer patients, their families, and oncology nurses. I am concerned that we anticipate these impacts and take steps to be prepared. I am certain you have heard about the baby boomers, those individuals who were born during the two decades after the Second World War (specifically 1946 to 1965). This population group has been described as the most important cohort in human history for influencing economic, technological, and social development—and this is not expected to be any different as they approach retirement and their older years (Foote in Boom, Bust & Echo). The boomers have had a significant influence on many aspects of Canadian life from the moment they were born. This group of individuals (now between 50 and 69 years) form 28.6% of the Canadian population. The greying of such a significant proportion of the Canadian population is set to have a large impact over the next few decades, but it creates an immediate pressure to anticipate and prepare for change in the next 15 to 20 years. The coming changes will reshape our economy and force substantial government social policy shifts to support the citizens of our country. The baby boomer group (referred to as a ‘demographic bubble’) is expected to face its senior years in better health than the previous generation, to have longer lives and possess greater wealth. But, as they move from being actively employed individuals, to retired consumers, and eventually dependent recipients, this movement will have a significant impact on economic productivity and the need for a wide range of services (especially health care and social services). And no doubt aspects of living such as leisure activities, travel, attitudes, values, life priorities, and moral concerns will all come into sharp focus, and begin to shift. Within this boomer shift, there are two trends that I think have particular relevance to us, as oncology nurses: one concerns workforce changes and the other concerns the aging population health needs for care and support. As baby boomers leave the workforce (and many are poised to do so in the next decade either through retirement or moving to part-time employment), they take with them tremendous expertise and wisdom. They have built their knowledge and skill over the years through experiencing the many challenges in the work environment and learning In the Summer Issue (Volume 25, No 3) Cherie Severson was listed in error as working at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta. 2 how to cope and succeed. This wisdom and knowledge will not be easily replaced. This trend calls for careful succession planning and for innovation in assisting baby boomers to pass on their knowledge or work in new or different ways, as they ease out of fully active work life and into retirement (or pre-retirement) mode. One of the next books we likely all should read is Chris Farrell’s entitled, Unretirement: How baby boomers are changing the way we think about work, community and the good life. Some experts have said this workforce trend will be offset by immigration and by old adults working past 65 years of age. In fact, the number of individuals older than 65 who are still working at least part-time has tripled in the past decade. However, these two potential solutions will require innovation within our cancer care world if we are going to take full advantage of them. The other concern I have is about the escalating demand for health and social services that we will see; and within that, the escalating need for cancer care of older adults, as the baby boomers age. I would encourage you to read the Canadian Cancer Society’s recent report projecting the number of cancer diagnoses in older adults that will be made over the next three decades. We already know that the biggest risk factor for cancer is aging. But what we do not have, as yet, is the robust knowledge base about caring for older adults. Many of our existing supportive care studies and clinical trials do not include older adults. We need to escalate our research efforts to understand the needs of the older adult cancer patient and look to designing the appropriate treatment and supportive care programs. In addition, the older adult who will come to us in the next few decades will not be the same older adult we see today. The future one will be healthier, likely more active and health literate. They will no doubt demand health and illness interventions and support in different ways than does the generation of today; they may wish to experience different balances between quantity and quality of life. I imagine the demand could well be for more aggressive intervention for older individuals than was practised in the past or is currently offered today. This is going to have a huge impact on what treatments and supports will need to be provided—and on the projections about cancer care economics and needed resources. So, as I think about ‘the boomer shift’, I think it is imperative that we anticipate and prepare ourselves while there is still time. We cannot wait until the ‘grey tsunami’ is upon us. Margaret I. Fitch, RN, PhD Editor in Chief CONJ Dans le numéro d'été (volume 25, no 3), Cherie Severson a été présentée par erreur comme travaillant au Centre de cancérologie Tom Baker de Calgary, en Alberta. Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2016 • Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal Revue canadienne de soins infirmiers en oncologie