Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

1

The First Step

Achieving Your Goals and Moving Forward

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

2

Moving Forward

• A review of what we’ve covered• Taking the first step– Fine-tuning your action plan– Implementing your plan– Building momentum

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

3

A Review of What We’ve CoveredThe Aging Workforce

• There will be more older workers– Older workers

need and want to work

– We need the skills older workers have

– Social Security needs help-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent Change

16-2425-5455-6465-7475+

Age Group

Percent Change in Labor Force, 2006-2016

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

4

A Review of What We’ve CoveredWhy the Aging Workforce Matters• Your organization will

see changes at every level– Age affects how we work– Work affects how we age– Safety, health and job

performance

• How you’re affected depends on what you do to prepare

• To prepare for an older workforce, prepare for an aging workforce

Society

Organization Policies

The Work Environment

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

5

A Review of What We’ve CoveredThe Work Environment

• The spaces where we work affect how we age

• We have control over how workplaces are designed

• Work environment issues are aging issues– Physical demands of work– Lighting and vision– Cognitive demands of

work

• We can design age friendly workplaces

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

6

A Review of What We’ve CoveredHealth Promotion• Health promotion:

– Prevention– Detection– Management

• Promoting health throughout life can prevent chronic disease

• Promoting health can lead to better disease management

• Health promotion can save you money

0

5

10

15

20

% with Diabetes

18-4445-6465-7475+

Age Group

Diabetes and Age

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

7

A Review of What We’ve CoveredWork & Life Balance

• It’s time to rethink how work and retirement function

• Flexible work options can benefit you and your aging workforce

• Phased retirement programs are an example

• Social and community resources can help

Older Workers' Preferences for the "Next Stage"

Cycle In and Out Part-Time

Start a Business Work Full Time

Never Work Again Something Else

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

8

Reviewing Your Action PlanAn Exercise

1. Is it important? Will people care?2. How does it relate to the aging process?3. Does it focus on results in addition to action?4. How will you know when you succeed?5. Are your goals achievable?6. Will it integrate into your organization and

not just be “one more thing”?7. What will you do to communicate the goals

and results to people who matter?

1 Planning approach adapted from “The Breakthrough Strategy,” developed by Robert Schaeffer

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

9

What’s Next?

• What will happen when you return to your organization?– Create a “to do list” for everyone involved

• How will you use your results to create a compelling story?

• How will you convince people in your organization to support further action?– Do you hope to get “buy in” from

management?

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

10

Thank You!

Any questions?