The US Workforce Comes of

Age
Challenges of a Vintage Work
Force
• Old age is the harbor of all ills

~Bion ~ 280 B.C.

• Nature abhors the old, and old age seems
the only disease; all others run into this
one.

~ Emerson ~ 1880
• Getting old is not for sissies.

~Bette Davis~ 1980’s

 Who is America’s work force?
• 58 million workers over 45-years-old.

Aging work force –

- 2000 statistics – 13% US workers 55
and older.
- 2010 -17%
- 2059 - 19%
 What does this mean?

– Health Care Costs are Soaring (Union

Wages)
• 2000 $1.69/hour/employee
• 2005 $2.59/hour/employee
• 2008 $4.00/hour/employee

• Average Annual Per-Employee Cost $9660

• Towers Perrin Health Care Cost Survey 2009
Workers older than 40 account for:
50% short term disability
75% long term disability
Older employees utilize more health care

-Life/Health Advisor December 2005

 Chronic Illnesses Noted in Aging
Work Force
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• CAD
• PVD
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• COPD
• Arthritis
• Smoking, obesity, inactivity cost 300%
more for older workers than younger
workers.

• - Life/Health Advisor December 2005

• Increased health care dollars on
insurance.
• Increased care dollars on BWC with recent
tendency to shift responsibility to employer
for age related degenerative pathology.
• Increased disability benefits
 Statistics of Gender
• Women share of labor force
2002 - 46.5%
2012 - 47.5%
2016 - 48.0%
• 68 million women employed in the US.
- 75% full time jobs
- 25% part time jobs
Concerns with increased women in
labor force may include:
• OB -Child bearing/infertility issues.
• OB- Exposure issues.
• GYN- Breast & Cervical cancer.
• Arthritic conditions.
• Strength issues – recurrent soft tissue
injuries.
• There is a shift in US away from
manufacturing – to service & technical
support. This shift will benefit the aging
work force.
Eg: only 6% women in manufacturing
jobs.
• What are the major physiologic changes
with maturing?

• These changes need to be understood so

that adjustments can be made at the work
site.
 A – CARDIOVASCULAR
• Decreased maximum heart rate.
• Decreased maximum contraction.
• Decreased blood pumped.
• Decreased elasticity of arterial vessels.
• After 30 – heart’s peak capacity declines
by 5 – 10% per decade.
• After 40 – increased incidence of CAD
especially with co-factors of Diabetes,
HTN, Obesity, SMOKING
• Adjustments may need to be made to
accommodate the aging heart in
manufacturing and heavy labor jobs.
 B - PULMONARY
• Decreased ability to move air deeply and
quickly – forced expiratory volume.
• Increased residual volume.
• Possible decreased air exchange with
exposures; dust, asbestos, silicon
• Smoking increases all the above.
 C - NERVOUS
• Decreased memory
• Decreased senses: sight, hearing.
• Decreased NCV – limits agility and speed.
• NCV declines 3% per decade after 55.
• Decreased balance and proprioception.
• Adjustment is to slow down processes for
the more mature workers and keep work
place safe and free of oils, clutter,
“accidents waiting to happen”.
• EXAMPLE:
20-year-old slips on oil – contusion and
sprain.
65-year-old hip fracture, pulmonary
embolus, infection, possible death.
 D - SKELETAL
DDD – Degenerative Disc Disease
Dreaded Disability Disease
- Develops in everyone – starts at age 32 - 34.
- Genetic and environmental factors
influence degree.
- Many non-surgical treatments available.
- Surgical options with mixed results.

Look for osteoporosis for recurrent fractures.

Adjustment – Ergonomic work stations and
exercise program should be available on
site.
 E - MUSCULAR
• 15% loss of strength per decade after 50.
• Decreased motor units.
• Increased fat in muscles.
• Fraying of muscle attachments, eg, rotator
cuff tendinitis.
ADJUSTMENT –
Better equipment for lifting heavy parts, job
rotation, seniority positions.
 F - MISCELLANEOUS
• DECREASED SENSES -
Adjustment for hearing and sight.
 Cognitive decreases -
• ADJUSTMENT
– Classes and updates via newsletters and
email.
– Clear training objectives.
 Hormonal Changes -
• ADJUSTMENT –
– Big concern for manufacturing with large
women in labor force.
– Consider counseling, dietary adjustments,
education.
– Menopause increases osteoporosis, joint
stiffness, tendinitis via loss of estrogen.
 Current trend is to have BWC
supplement Medicare & private
insurance.
1) Eg: THR, TKR replacement surgery.
2) Chronic pain management for DDD.
3) Cardiovascular work-ups prior to minor
surgeries.
4) Allowances granted for aging process.
 DEFINITIVE STUDIES NEED TO
BE DONE -
1.Serial MRI’s on non-working persons
followed from 30’s - 70’s
2.Studies ongoing to prove natural course
of aging.
3. Always consider genetic with vocational
contributions.
4. Disability runs in families often.
 COMPLICATIONS OF AGING ON
BWC ALLOWANCES-
• Eg: Aggravation of pre-existing DJD;
DDD.
• “Aggravation of old ACL tear”.
• Remote myocardial infarction.
• Pulmonary emphysema.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Down’s Syndrome
 DODM
• Longer recovery for underlying medical
conditions and age. Co-morbidities
• After 90 days, only 10% RTW
• “Sandwich” generation with many social
• Issues.
• Price per claim increases with increased
age and underlying health problems.
• Eg. Medicare pays $3000 - $6000 more
annually on obese seniors and this is now
– being shifted to employers.

– CDC July 2009

– Tennessee #4 in US -30.2% adult obesity
How does your company adjust to Vintage
Work Force?
 A - ERGONOMICS
1) Better equipment for lifting.
2) Better ergonomic tools to
accommodate arthritis.
3) Job rotations.
4) Seniority jobs – disguised.
5) Automation assisted activities.
 B - EDUCATION
1) Must have company-wide education on
health and effects of aging ongoing.
2) Promote smoking cessation.
3) Weight loss program.
4) Anger and stress management.
5) Counseling for aging parents; ailing
spouse or children.
6) Reward healthy habits.
 C - EXERCISE
• The only effective way to slow down the
aging process and effects of aging is
exercise.
 BENEFITS INCLUDE:
1) Muscle mass.
2) Bone mass.
3) Stress reduction.
4) Balance and agility.
5) Increased cardiovascular.
6) Cognitive benefits.
 Work Exercise Into The Work Day

• Exercise should be part of the work day

– 1. part of work process and break
– 2. exercise equipment or program on site
– 3. benefits of wellness program and
education. Employee rewards for Healthy
Habits.
• The Whole Story: Gordon and Gleeson
• Workforce Healing Opportunities and Lifestyle Enhancements.

Promoting Wellness Through

Age-Friendly Physical Activities

Publication January 2010

• Wellness programs need to incorporate:
– 1. cardio conditioning (40’s – 60’s)
– 2. strength training (50’s – 60’s)
– 3. flexibility/balance training (60’s)

– Reward the Healthy Employee and their

family.
• Benefits include:
• 1. Better CV health – fewer MI’s
• 2. Better Respiratory status, fewer URI’s
• 3. Better bone strength – fewer fractures
• 4. Better reaction times and balance
• 5. Improved mood and cognition
• 6. Increased strength and ROM
• Onsite monitoring of glucose, BP, weight
• Employee health diary with counselors;
exercise, nutrition, social services
• Rewards for healthy living either by
decreased premiums or end of the year
bonuses.
• Cost Savings of Wellness Programs
– Dupont - $1.42 for every $1.00 invested
– Providence Health Care – 28% decrease
– Travelers - $3.40 for every $1.00

– Towers Perrin Health Care Cost – Sept. 2008

• Many savings are qualitative not
quantitative.
– Eg. Phoenix – 46% increase work productivity

– Savings included fewer sick days and

appointments.

IHPM – July 2009

• Men do not quit playing because they
grow old; they grow old because they quit
playing.

Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Most people think that aging is irreversible and we
know that there are mechanisms even in the
human machinery that allow for the reversal of
aging, through correction of diet, through anti-
oxidants, through removal of toxins from the
body, through exercise, through yoga and
breathing techniques, and through meditation.

~Deepak Chopra~
• Aging grapes produce great wine.

• Aging humans produce great whining.

• Exercise is the #1and ONLY PROVEN

deterrent to aging.