In an exclusive interview with CNN, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (pictured left) observed that the crisis response system "worked," as passengers and crew subdued the suspect, alleged Al Quaeda operative Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. 

According to Ms. Napolitano, "The whole process of making sure that we respond properly, correctly and effectively went very smoothly." 

The Great Places blogmaster concludes that passengers, rather than the renowned Transportation Security Agency, will be responsible for airline safety in the future. 

The U. S. population is approximately 308 million.  There are 78 million Baby Boomers--25 percent of the U. S. population.  There are 24.4 million caregivers in the U. S. About one-third of Boomers are caregivers.  Nearly one in 10 Americans is a caregiver.

Caregiving is disproportionaly a woman's issue:  Parents are four times more likely to pick their daughters as caregivers, which means that caregiving is women's work.  But a recent survey found that only 20% of caregivers are "happy" to have this responsibility.

Another recent survey--by http://www.caring.com-- found that

•  80% of caregivers said that caregiving "strained" their marriage;
• 1/3 said that it negatively impacted their sex lives;
• 1/4 said that it was a "factor" in their divorce;
• 90% said that they had less time with their spouses.

A Canadian survey of caregivers found that

• Caregivers were most stressed by managing money and medications for their parents;
• Caregivers self-reported that caregiving resulted in health declines, stress increased, health declined, and 75% suffered "some" to "moderate" depression.

The study (http://tinyurl.com/yeg528k) concludes that

• There are at least 43.5 million caregivers 18 and older--19% of all adults--providing unpaid care to someone age 50 or older.
• Most American caregivers are caring for family members, particularly their mothers.
• The average age of today's caregiver is 50; the recipient, 77.
• On average, caregiving requires four years.
• Caregivers are increasingly using outside services, including transportation and respite care.
• Three-fourths of caregivers work.  They increasingly have to go to work late, leave early, or take time off during the day because of their caregiving responsibilities.
• 40% of caregivers believe that they didn't have a choice about assuming this responsibility.
• Caregiving is becoming increasingly stressful and financially difficult.
• One-quarter or caregivers say they have a difficult time coordinating their recipients' care.  These caregivers are more likely to be caring for someone with Alzheimer's/dementia; have a high level of burden; live an hour or more away from their care recipient; and believe they had no choice in becoming a caregiver.
• Caregivers support these policies:
  • Tax credits of $3,000;
  • Respite services;
  • Vouchers that would pay them a minimum wage; and
  • Transportation services.
• Caregivers increasingly say they need help or information, particularly about
  • Keeping their recipient safe at home;
  • Finding easy activities to do with their care recipient; and
  • Choosing a home care agency, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.