The Impact of an Aging Population in the Workplace
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2018
Keywords
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), government regulation, aging population, ageism, diversity, aging workforce, generations, cognitive ability, strategies, chronic diseases, occupational injuries
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079917752191
Abstract
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people 65 years of age or older living in the United States is projected to double by 2030 to 72 million adults, representing 20% of the total U.S. population. Evidence suggests that older Americans are working longer and spending more time on the job than their peers did in previous years. The increased number of older adults working longer is observed not only in the Unites States but also worldwide. There are numerous ramifications associated with the changing demographics and the expanding prevalence of an aging population in the workforce. Dynamics that arise include stereotyping and discrimination, longevity and on-site expert knowledge, variances in workplace behavior, a multigenerational employee pool, chronic disease management, occupational safety, and the application of adaptive strategies to reduce injury occurrences. Occupational health nurses play a pivotal role in implementing best practices for an aging-friendly workplace.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Workplace Health & Safety, v. 66, issue 10, p. 493-498
Scholar Commons Citation
Stevenson White, Mercedia; Burns, Candace; and Conlon, Helen Acree, "The Impact of an Aging Population in the Workplace" (2018). Nursing Faculty Publications. 166.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nur_facpub/166
