I Know What You Didn't Do Last Summer - Boomers Caring for Aging Parents Cancel Summer Vacation Plans

New survey from Caring.com and VibrantNation.com reveals baby boomers caring for aging parents not able to afford vacation or leave parents on their own

San Mateo, CA; Louisville, KY; Aug. 17, 2009 — Seventy-nine percent of baby boomers say caring for an aging parent has impacted their vacation plans this summer. This insight is one of many garnered from a new research study conducted by Caring.com and VibrantNation to measure the impact of caregiving on summer travel trends among baby boomers.

"Caring for, and paying for the care of an aging parent, prevented many boomers from taking a vacation this summer," said Andy Cohen, co-founder and CEO, Caring.com. "And in the case a boomer was able to take a vacation, caring for their aging parent hindered their ability to travel far and in some cases, required they bring their parent along with them."

The partner research from Caring.com, a leading online destination for people caring for aging parents, and Vibrant Nation, the first peer-to-peer information-sharing website devoted exclusively to successful women over 50, also uncovered the following:

• 70% of baby boomers cited not being able to leave parent on their own as the main reason they weren't able to go on vacation;
• 55% of baby boomers couldn't afford to go;
• 85% of boomers caring for an aging parent are women.

"Caring for an aging parent, coupled with increased caring for adult children due to the recession, left boomer women with little time to get away this summer," commented Stephen Reily, Founder and CEO, VibrantNation.com. "Based on what we have learned from Vibrant Nation members, women over 50 have a strong sense of connectedness and really carry the load when it comes to caregiving for the generations on either side. When these women are able to get away, they most often depend on other women to help in their absence."

For the thirty percent of boomers that were able to take a summer vacation, even when they were taking a break they weren't really on one:

• 74% planned to limit travel time by visiting destinations that weren't far from home;
• 20% planned to bring their parent with them.

Regardless of whether or not a parent stayed home or came with them, preparation was the name of the game:

• 35% developed medication checklists;
• 32% ask a friend to check in on the parent;
• 54% place daily phone calls.

Caregivers can visit Caring.com to find additional information on arranging outside care, how to develop medication checklists, and tips on travel preparation when caring for an aging parent.

Smart and passionate women looking to exchange information with other women like them on issues like work, style, relationships, wellness, money, and books as well as caregiving are invited to visit VibrantNation to join the conversation.

VibrantNation.com is the first peer-to-peer information-sharing website devoted exclusively to successful women 50+, creating a place where they can exchange information and join in smart conversation. Stereotypes have for many years kept marketers from appreciating not just the size of their pocketbooks but also the level of connectedness of these women, whose shared interests and goals make them even more networked and even more influential with peers. At Vibrant Nation, we know these women are starting businesses, giving back, making new friends, traveling, learning, shopping - and looking to connect with others who share their desire to make the most of life every day. For several years, we have conducted research into the interests and needs of this fast-growing and important consumer demographic. VibrantNation.com is not only filling a unique need for its members, but also leading the way in helping marketers understand and serve 50+ women.

With millions of visitors to its flagship website, Caring.com, Caring is a leading senior living referral service and the nation’s top site for senior care reviews. Founded in 2007, Caring’s mission is to help as many seniors and their caregivers as possible through empathetic, expert guidance. Applying cutting-edge technology to this humane mission, Caring provides relevant senior care information and support, as well as comprehensive senior living and senior care directories for the United States, including nearly 400,000 consumer reviews. Through a toll-free referral line at (800) 558-0653, Caring’s trusted, nationwide team of Family Advisors — who are among the most highly trained, highly skilled, and knowledgeable experts in senior care — helps seniors and their families research and connect to the most appropriate services and support for their specific situations. For more information about our organization and our free services for seniors and their families, please visit http://www.caring.com/about and join with Caring on Faceb