This document discusses generational differences and their implications for diabetes self-management support. It outlines five generations - Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation C (Connected Generation). Each generation has unique values and preferences shaped by their life experiences. For example, Traditionalists prefer face-to-face interactions and paper resources, while Millennials are very comfortable with technology and social media. The document recommends tailoring self-management support strategies to be age-appropriate, such as using email and texting for Generation X but also offering in-person support for Traditionalists. The overarching goal is to provide patient-centered care that considers generational factors and supports disease self-management.

1. Connecting Across the Ages
Generational Considerations for Diabetes Self-Management
Elaine Leclerc – HCS Training and Consulting

3. The Premise …
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Experiences Influence Values
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Values Influence Attitudes
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Attitudes Influence Actions
People who are similarly aged will have some values in common!
Values
Attitudes
Actions

4. The Generations
Traditionalists 1925 – 1946 (68+)
Baby Boomers 1947 – 1960 (54 – 67)
Generation X 1961- 1980 (34 – 53)
Millennials 1981 – 2000 (14 – 33)
The Connected Generation 2001 + (<14)

5. The Traditionalists 1925 - 1946

6. Experiences At Home
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Large Families
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Limited Resources
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Clear Gender Roles
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Rural Areas No Electricity

7. Experiences At School
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Formal
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Rules and Discipline
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Not Everyone Succeeded
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Limited Resources

8. Experiences in the Community
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Patriotism
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Sharing & Caring
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Loyalty
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Awareness of Status

9. Behaviors You May Notice …
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Respect for age/authority
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Lack of assertiveness wrt to authority figures
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Reluctance to discuss personal matters
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High degree of body privacy
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Potential literacy issues

10. The Baby Boomers 1947 - 1960

11. The Baby Boomer At Home
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Nuclear Families
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Clear Gender Roles
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Conservative Values
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Respect For Authority

12. The Baby Boomer At School
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Rules and Discipline
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Gender Roles
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Competition
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Streaming

13. BBs In The Community
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Volunteering
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Growth of Facilities
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Safe
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Rank & Status Important

14. Behaviors You May Notice …
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Like to be treated like a friendly peer
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Some degree of social engagement
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Do not like to be put on the spot, potentially embarrassed
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Want their knowledge and experience to be respected

15. Generation X 1961 - 1980

16. Generation X At Home
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Working Parents
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Independence
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Fewer Nuclear Families
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??? Authority

17. Generation X At School
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Less Formal
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Innovation
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Individual Success
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Technology

18. Generation X In The Community
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Less Involved
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More Commuters
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New Communities
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Impact of Recession

19. Behaviors You May Notice
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Communicate directly and assertively
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Impersonal - comfortable without small talk
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Business-like, get things done
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Expect understanding of their need for work/life balance

20. The Millennials 1981 - 2000

21. The Millennials At Home
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Smaller Families
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Emphasis on Nurturing/Supporting
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Participation
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Respect for Diversity

22. The Millennials At School
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Less Formal
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Collaboration
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Communication
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Everyone Succeeds
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Inclusion

23. Millennials in the Community
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Engaged with Parents
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Civic Minded
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Cautious – Safety Oriented
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Environmentally Responsible

24. Behaviors You Might Notice
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Comfort with technology
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Open, assertive communication
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Personable and social
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“Laid back”, busy, multi-taskers
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Information “junkies”

25. Generation C – The Connected Generation

26. Behaviors You Might Notice
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Confident communicators
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Natural negotiators
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Adept with technology
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Very few boundaries

27. What Are the Implications for…
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Providing education?
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Sharing information?
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Providing support?
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Keeping in touch?
Providing patient- centred, age appropriate care that supports disease self- management?

28. From Mailboxes to Inboxes …

29. From Blackboards to Smartboards

30. From Telephones to Cell Phones

31. From Books to E-Books

32. From Paper to Aps

33. From Support Groups to Chat Groups

34. From Experts to Internet

35. Strategies to Support Success!

36. The Traditionalist
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Enjoy face-to-face
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Like paper
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Want a personal touch
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Still use the phone
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Overwhelmed by the complexity of technology

37. Baby Boomers
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One foot on either side of the divide!
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The only generation that still talks on the phone
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Like email, less comfortable with other SM
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Face-to-Face, Phone, Email

38. Generation X
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Optimize technology!
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Less need for personal interaction
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Trust information, not people
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Email – Text – Phone – Face to Face
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Support on-line, not in-person

39. Millennials
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Less private, more public
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Speed!
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Interactive, engaging, stimulating
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Text – Email – SM – Face to Face - Phone

40. The Connected Generation
Fun and Fast!

41. Connecting Across the Ages
Providing Patient-Centred, Age Appropriate Interventions