The older worker: Physical and mental attitudes essential to retain a viable position in the workplace
P.A. Scott
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Abstract'Chronological age, functional age, working age, mental age, physical age, emotional age, age of wisdom - are they all the same and how do they affect the way we function at home and at work?' There is growing evidence to suggest that universally there has been a significant increase in the number of older workers in a diversity of jobs. Winn and Ilmarinen (2000) talk of the working population over 50 years of age as 'exploding' during the next 25 years; he predicts that the work force will comprise approximately 35% of older workers (50 - 64 yr) and only 17% of younger workers (15 - 24 yr). With an example set by Nelson Mandela who 're-started' work at 75 years of age this aging trend is not something to be overly concerned about, rather it is important to be realistically aware of the effects that aging may have on the productivity and general well-being of an older group, and to adjust one's lifestyle and work environment accordingly. This paper will present the importance of participation in regular physical exercise, and involvement in stimulating mental activities in order to maintain one's abilities to cope with the demands of life in general and work specifically. There will also be a discussion on how chronological age influences the functionality of an individual and how tasks may be modified to accommodate older workers' capabilities in order to avoid overtaxing the worker. The basic Ergonomic premise is to adjust the task to suit the specific work force.Keywords: ergonomics; work; aging; morphology; physiology
P.A. Scott (2002). The older worker: Physical and mental attitudes essential to retain a viable position in the workplace. Gerontechnology, 2(1), 55-59
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2002.02.01.006.00