New Challenges As An Older Worker
I work at a car wash in the winter, unbeknownst to my son. I am 73 years old. My son is a proud man and might not like to see his father this way. Others in the community might say, ‘the son is earning so much from his business, but their father works at a car wash’. In my culture, and also because of my age, this job is looked down upon. But in this country, it’s not scorned. I believe it’s an ability of mine, which has value in this country. Even in the frigid cold, I manage to collect a few dollars. This satisfies me, so I work tirelessly. I don’t need to ask my son for money for a bottle of whiskey. I have my own money.
– Ranil
Why Would I Want to Work When I Can Retire?
Medical and technological innovations mean that we’re living longer, healthier lives. Many of us are physically and mentally capable of continuing to work into our golden years. Not only do jobs provide us with an income and benefits, but work can also provide a sense of purpose in our lives.
Employment can have a positive impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health, alongside the opportunity to continue learning new skills. Research shows that those who continue to work past age 65 tend to be mentally sharper, longer. Some remain working simply because we like what we do, have not yet reached our career goals, or want to feel useful and enjoy the social aspect of work.
There are additional gender and family dynamics to consider; older men are more likely to stay or reenter the workforce than older women, and the retirement decision of a spouse might influence the decision to remain at work or retire. For instance, couples often synchronise their retirement plans, which also may increase the number of workers prolonging their retirement plans.
The elephant in the room is that continuing to work past retirement age is a practical necessity for many people. We live in uncertain times – many retirement savings accounts were shattered because of economic shocks like the 2008 recession, and the Covid-19 pandemic has further transformed the work environment.Â
Bills still need to be covered, savings may not last, and our family members might depend on our earnings. Whatever the reason, not everyone who continues working does so out of choice.
The Benefits of Older Workers
It’s no secret that ageism is an employment barrier for older workers. Some employers hold incorrect ideas about the productivity and cost-effectiveness of older workers. They may assume that older workers cannot keep up in fast-paced environments or learn the skills needed to thrive.
The truth is that older workers have a lot to contribute. We bring valuable skills, experiences, and maturity to the workplace. Our decades of experience can be an invaluable resource as mentors to younger employees, and our participation in the workforce can address labour shortages while improving diversity.
Studies have found that older workers offer leadership and creative problem-solving skills, greater attention to detail, more patience, and improved attendance records.
Challenges Older Workers May Face
Ageism
Older workers face several additional challenges. Getting hired can be a huge hurdle – research has repeatedly shown that older workers are significantly disadvantaged in today’s labour market. We may experience age-based discrimination in decisions related to hiring, firing, promotions, and layoffs.
Older workers are often unfairly viewed as less competent and as having decreased performance capacity. Some employers are hesitant to train us because they believe we’ll leave before they get a return on their investment. As a result, many of us face challenges in acquiring the skills and training we need to pursue employment.
Older adults may lack confidence in our skills or education to apply for jobs. We may be unfamiliar with new technologies or standards in certain industries. Our skill sets may be outdated or not transfer well to new areas of employment. Employers may also simply not have the resources or knowledge about how best to support us in the workplace.
Health
Even if we have a job, many of us must juggle health conditions and disabilities with our professional responsibilities. As we age, the likelihood of developing health issues or suffering from an injury increases.
Common examples include:
- Physical challenges related to muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity;
- Cognitive issues including memory difficulties, problem-solving, and reaction time;
- Sensory problems such as hearing or vision challenges;
- Chronic conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes.
We may also encounter circumstantial barriers, such as inaccessible work locations and break times that don’t meet our needs.
These health considerations not only limit our ability to work safely but also make it more difficult to apply for, accept, or maintain jobs. For many, it places us at risk of permanently exiting the workforce.
Caregiving
A growing number of older workers have another ball to juggle: caregiving. This could be for their ageing parents, spouses, or other loved ones. Some are even serving double caregiver roles; caring for grandchildren and a spouse.
Working while providing care to a loved one may be too much for one person to bear, but cutting back on work or giving it up entirely can lead to financial problems, leaving many overworked.
Occupational Therapists Help Jobs Work For Us
An occupational therapist assesses our situation by examining our health, abilities, and personal characteristics. They may look at our ability to push, pull, lift, crouch, and walk; our capacity to use the tools necessary to perform the job; or how safe the work environment is regarding our limitations. The occupational therapist may then offer recommendations and strategies to optimise our workplace for older adults. Examples include helping us to negotiate a more flexible working schedule with our employers, modifying the environment or our duties.Â
Prevention
Disabilities, injuries, and declining physical health can result in job losses or reduced work, so preventative strategies are a key area for support. Occupational therapists support us to develop strength, endurance, cognition, and mobility to maintain optimal health and viability as a worker.
Decreasing muscle strength and bone density are common issues that impact older workers’ ability to do their job. An occupational therapist can collaborate to set personalised goals for strength and functionality, develop a home exercise program, and assist with pain control. Early intervention can be the difference between having the strength to continue and being forced into involuntary retirement due to health issues.
Ergonomics is the practice of optimising workstations to ensure better posture and decrease stress on vulnerable areas of the body, like the wrists. occupational therapists are highly knowledgeable in this area and can assess our workstations to recommend modifications that preserve our health and functionality. For those of us with arthritis, occupational therapists can educate us on appropriate hand care and positioning when typing or operating machinery.Â
Mental health is another key area for prevention strategies. Occupational therapists intervene by identifying wellness resources, developing coping strategies, restructuring schedules, and collaborating with employers to develop workplace supports.
Advocacy
Occupational therapists advocate for universal design principles, which guide public facilities to provide equal opportunities regardless of ability.
Occupational therapists may also encourage employers to implement policies and programs that improve worker engagement and productivity; promote age-friendly and anti-ageist workplaces; or support the development of individual plans for productive work participation.Â
For example, occupational therapists may support advocacy efforts to ensure that employees and employers follow the psychological health and safety in the workplace standard. The objective of the Standard is to help organisations strive towards improving the psychological well-being of their employees, which can get lost in the hustle and bustle of business activities.
Returning to work following an injury or illness
Occupational therapists aim to facilitate a seamless return to work for older adults following an injury or illness. They do this by identifying risks, which could inflame the injury or cause another accident, as well as the psychosocial factors acting as barriers. For example, occupational therapists play an important role in increasing awareness of the factors that may impact the mental health of employees in workplaces, such as ageist attitudes or exclusion. They may also work closely with older adults to encourage conversations on ways to promote a psychologically safe workplace.
Occupational therapists also educate supervisors on the importance of tailored accommodations for older workers returning after an injury or illness. They advocate for appropriate accommodations and adaptations in work style, equipment use, and social support.
Vocational Training
For those of us out of work and looking for a new role, occupational therapists can help develop effective strategies for self-marketing and provide vocational training and advocacy.
Contributing Authors
