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State of the Science Conference
September 15-16, 2005
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Supporting older workers at work: A conceptual framework
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- Supporting older workers at work: A conceptual framework
- A Canadian Scenario
- Outline
- Introduction
- Introduction
- Outline
- Current State of Aging
- Growth of the Elderly Population
- Outline
- Summary of the Prominent Theories of Aging
- Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging
- Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Genetic Mutation
- Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Cellular Waste Accumulation
- Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Wear and Tear
Supporting older workers at work: A conceptual framework
Presented by: Kent Gillin, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Candidate)
Co-author: Lynn Shaw Ph.D.
University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada
A Canadian Scenario
Presentation Outline
A Canadian study examined the complexities of age relations at work. 76 female
and 3 male garment workers of diverse ethnic background were interviewed during
focus groups. The participants revealed that they were forced to retire or strongly
encouraged to quit early due to cost reduction and ageism. Many of those retired
were just 50 years of age. In addition, managers stated that they did not organize
work routines to accommodate an aging workforce. Easier jobs were subcontracted.
Managers admitted to wanting to be rid of the older workers and replace them with
younger workers who would work for less income and with reduced injuries. (McMullin,
2001)
Outline
Part 1 - Current State of Our Aging Population
Part 2 - Contributions of Prominent Theories of Aging
Biological / Physiological
Psychological
Sociological
Part 3 - Functional Ability, Aging and Productive Work
Introduction
Understanding when a worker is too old to work poses a difficult moral and ethical
dilemma for employees, employers and health care practitioners.
This exploration into aging intends to clarify how and when a threshold of participation
in productive work is reached.
Introduction
Understanding when a worker is too old to work poses a difficult moral and
ethical dilemma for employees, employers and health care practitioners.
This exploration into aging intends to clarify what research has uncovered about
older worker abilities.
Outline
Part 1 - Current State of Our Aging Population
Part 2 - Contributions of Prominent Theories of Aging
Biological / Physiological
Psychological
Sociological
Part 3 - Functional Ability, Aging and Productive Work
Current State of Aging
Workers’ average age has risen over 2 years in the last decade
(37 to 39).
Approximately 15 percent of the workforce was within 10 years of retirement
age at the end of the last decade, and projections are that by 2011 nearly a
fifth of baby-boomers will be at least 61.
Birth rates in have been lower for the last 30 years
This can only result in fewer young people entering the workforce to
replace those getting close to retirement.
North American population age 65 years or more will triple in the next
45 years. Just 55 years ago the population of older adults was one-third this
size (Munroe, 2004).
Growth of the Elderly Population
Graph: A line graph shows the number of people in various ages groups between
the years 1950 and 2030.
In 1950, there were about 9 million people age 65-74, about 4 million
people age 75-84, and about 1 million people over age 85.
During the next 60 years, the numbers approximately double. By 2010,
there will be about 16 million people age 65-74, about 10 million people age
75-84, and about 1 million people over age 85.
These numbers start increasing at an even faster rate so that within
the subsequent 20 years, by 2030, the number of people age 75-84 will be over
30 million.
Outline
Part 1 - Current State of Our Aging Population
Part 2 - Contributions of Prominent Theories of Aging
Biological / Physiological
Psychological
Sociological
Part 3 - Functional Ability, Aging and Productive Work
Summary of the Prominent Theories of Aging
Biological / Physiological
Psychological
Sociological
Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging
Graphic: A list of theories is presented, and arrows show how they lead to
various conditions that are related to aging. The theories are: Antagonistic
Pleiotropy Theory, Waste Accumulation Theory, Free radical damage, Insulin resistance,
Advanced Glycation (AGE), Telomeres and Hayflick, The Error Catastrophe Theory,
Autoimmunity, Circadian Deregulation, and Evolutionary Theory. The conditions
are genetic mutation, cellular waste accumulation, and wear and tear. These
relationships are investigated in more detail in the next three slides.
Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Genetic Mutation
Graphic: The following theories lead to genetic mutation:
Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory
Free radical damage
Telomeres and Hayflick
The Error Catastrophe Theory
Evolutionary Theory
Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Cellular Waste Accumulation
Graphic: The following theories lead to cellular waste accumulation:
Waste Accumulation Theory
Free radical damage
Insulin resistance
Advanced Glycation (AGE)
Telomeres and Hayflick
Prominent Biological/Physiological Theories of Aging - Wear and Tear
Graphic: The following theories lead to wear and tear:
Advanced Glycation (AGE)
Autoimmunity
Circadian Deregulation
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