Healthcare Workers

Posted by suzanne  on Jan 4, 2021

During the pandemic, there have been on-going labour force shortages in healthcare with a large demand for nurses, personal support workers and physicians, as well as cleaning staff.

Staff shortages make it difficult to provide patient-centred care in hospitals and Long-term Care (LTC) homes. There are a variety of surveys and news reports on the crisis in healthcare staffing. One recent survey found that 95% of LTC homes reported a shortage in staff. In response to this survey, many healthcare professionals also stated that residents were not being properly fed and hydrated.

Unfortunately this fall, staff and residents in LTC are getting sick from Covid-19 just like they did in the spring of 2020. This creates more pressure on our healthcare system.

Healthcare staff are feeling the heavy burden. They are asking for assistance as Covid-19 infections increase.

Retirees are taking up the call. They want to help and are returning to work to provide care during Covid-19. Marg Miller is among them.

It’s time to develop formal return-to-work programs for mature workers who retire and have the knowledge and skills required to make a difference in the workplace. These professionals are making a difference during a time of great need.

Why isn’t there a provincial/territorial program to help them with the return-to-work?

Mature Workers and Technology

Posted by suzanne  on Dec 27, 2020

Baby Boomers are embracing and using technology during the pandemic. Digital technology makes life easier and helps us manage daily activities better during Covid-19.

Not only are Boomers using technology. A new study indicates that Boomers have adopted innovative and time saving technologies such as virtual medical appointments and curbside pick up at a rapid pace compared to pre-Covid. These findings can help change perceptions about Boomers ignoring technological innovation being slow to accept new technology. The findings prove that Boomers are using technology and adapting their lives.

Innovation happens quickly and it is true that the digital technology available today was not available a couple of decades ago. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that Baby Boomers are the generation who had to adapt to rapid technological change as computers entered the workplace. The reality is that technological advances were made across all industries impacting Boomers and their work.

This survey indicates that Boomers are adopting new technology faster than expected. Good on them for proving people wrong!

Virtual Redirection Workshops

Posted by suzanne  on Nov 29, 2020

Are you on the cusp of retirement and longing for structure, a sense of purpose, and fulfillment?

As individuals approach retirement, they realize how much they get from their paid work just by going to work. Work provides structure to their day, mental stimulation, social interaction and friendships, self-worth and self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Dr. Cook studies second and third careers among people age 50 and over. She coined the term redirection to refer to this emerging stage of career.

Are you ready to make a change? Need some help identifying career opportunities?

Dr. Cook provides workshops focused on the redirection transition to organizations and mature workers across Canada. Based on demand, she is offering virtual career redirection workshops.

Redirection Workshops will provide participants with the following:

1. What is the redirection process?
2. Where do I start?
3. What have other people done during their redirection?
4. What can I do to make this transition easier?

What’s your Redirection? For more information, contact Dr. Cook at Suzanne (at) carpevitam.ca. Please put ‘workshops’ in the subject line.

Aging Workforce and Policy

Posted by suzanne  on Nov 28, 2020

I think it is timely to repost this blog from a few years ago. These key issues remain.

The population is aging in Canada as the baby boomer generation approaches and enters their later years. In a similar vein, the Canadian labour force is aging.

The aging population and labour force affect the Canadian economy. Policy makers, economists and government are concerned about how this will impact the economy.

Canada’s population growth is dependent upon the fertility rate, death rate and rate of immigration. Fertility rates have decreased over the decades as women have fewer children. Canadians are living longer. Immigration policy in Canada aims to bring more people into the country who can contribute to productivity and growth and compensation for the low fertility rate to keep the economy strong.

However, government, policy makers and economists do not fully recognize that older workers are eager to work and continue to work, in order to contribute to their communities. Older workers are skilled and experienced workers. They have communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills and have developed their ability to work with others. All of these skills are essential in the workplace today.

Organizational Level

As the populations ages and the workforce becomes older, all levels of society are impacted by demographic change. Importantly, this impacts organizations who are worried about a chronic labour shortage resulting from a rapidly aging population. Organizations have identified skill shortages in different roles across various industries. This is a top priority for business leaders.

Around the globe, other countries are innovating to address these concerns. These countries believe that the best way to adopt a successful aging strategy is to realize that aging is an opportunity.

One example is Japan, where policy makers have been steering the growing number of healthy 60- and 70 year olds away from retirement into work. These mature workers are taking on work roles and this makes them productive members of society. They hold jobs ”that otherwise would be impossible to fill as the population shrinks.”¹

Furthermore, an entrepreneurial focus on the aging demographic, with products and services to support aging, ensures that aging is a benefit that broader society can reap.

Although consumer spending growth overall is weak in Japan, economists at UBS Securities there say they believe the expansion of the senior market could more than offset any declines that come from a shrinking population, at least for a time.²

 

For Japan, the way forward is clear. For more, visit Aging Gracefully in the Wall Street Journal.

Footnotes:

¹ Schlesinger, J. M. & Martin, A. (2015). Entrepreneurs are exploring robotics and other innovations to unleash the potential of the elderly. Aging Gracefully: Graying Japan Tries To Embrace the Golden Years.
² Ibid.

Longevity

Posted by suzanne  on Nov 24, 2019

When we think about health in later life, much attention is on illness and chronic conditions. Research has often focused on illness and disease in later life, overemphasizing this as part of aging when it is possible for individuals to manage health issues and maintain a positive perspective on aging.

Older adults are healthier than in previous generations. In addition, life expectancy has increased significantly over the past 100 years. In the past, people would not live into their 60s, 70s or 80s. For example, my grandfather passed away just shy of his 100th birthday.

Many factors influence longevity. Research has discovered protective genes and environmental factors that influence life expectancy and longevity.

People continue to live with chronic health conditions such as diabetes. Individuals can manage different health issues while continuing to work, volunteer and provide caregiving to others. These activities are meaningful to individuals, families, communities and society in general. Fulfilling and satisfying activities provide broad health benefits such as belonging, social interaction and a sense of purpose. All of this contributes to mental health while keeping individuals connected to their communities.

More research should examine these protective health factors during later life rather than focusing solely on the health issues and risks.

Seven Dimensions of Active Aging

Posted by suzanne  on Apr 30, 2017

The seven dimensions of health assist with finding balance for wellness and quality of life

Thanks to our aging population, increasing numbers of people are reaching mid-life. They have made it to a certain age and realize they need step it up a bit to maintain their health. Some decide they need to work harder in order to become healthier.

In fact, people are paying more attention to the benefits of healthier, more active lifestyles across the lifespan. It is possible to improve health by working at it. The objective is for people to have not only increased lifespans, but increased healthspans. The approach of using the seven dimensions of active aging can help.

The seven dimensions of active aging is a model for health and wellness. I often share this model when people are interested in learning more about health, wellness and aging and want to understand how to live fuller, healthier lives. This model helps people to design a rich, well-rounded lifestyle and set goals for health and wellness.

The seven dimensions of active aging are the key areas to be aware of for healthy aging in order to improve the quality of life as individuals age. The seven dimensions of health and wellness are:

1. Cognitive – brain health
2. Physical – body fitness and sexuality
3. Psychological – emotional health
4. Social – relationships and social connections
5. Spiritual – divine, psychic and transcendent
6. Occupational – vocation, work and calling
7. Environmental – the natural and build world

With this holistic approach to health and wellness, these dimensions are interconnected to create the whole person and their life. Being active and engaged helps individuals by stimulating at least one, and often, many of these dimensions. It is important to live a balanced lifestyle so that each of these dimensions are developed or stimulated. This is what individuals strive to achieve.

The Canadian population is aging and there are more older adults than previously. People are also living longer today than ever before. They want to live longer and healthier lives. They want to maintain or even improve their health and are paying more attention to health and wellness in order to achieve health-related goals and objectives. Healthspan is very important. The seven dimensions provide a broad perspective of the best ways to think about health and wellness. In addition, the dimensions indicate the areas for improvement in order to live healthier, more satisfying lives.

Freedom of R & R, or to Continue Working

Posted by suzanne  on Apr 12, 2017

Later life has changed

There is a realignment of work and retirement in society as the population ages. It is a growing trend. Older adults are continuing to work past traditional retirement age.

CBC’s The National followed a couple of Canadians as they reflected on their decision to keep working into their later years. They found work opportunities for their ‘next act’ that help generate an income and maintain their lifestyle. Furthermore, their work is personally fulfilling and meaningful to their community.

Benefits go beyond the paycheque; working keeps people active and engaged. It was also nice to hear another perspective on the benefits of hiring mature workers.

I coined the term redirection to refer to the new stage of career as people transition into new pursuits and occupation to stay engaged and continue to work. Redirection is an alternative to retirement. It is an exciting time of life. New possibilities are investigated and explored. Older adults discover that their skills and competencies are transferable. My new documentary film explores five people’s experiences with redirection.

CBC News discusses the trend towards delayed retirement. Provinces like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are already rethinking and implementing policy to address this new trend.

It is time to rethink government policy to consider the ways people are and can work longer and what this means for social structures and institutions in Canada.

Older Workforce, Aging Consumers

Posted by suzanne  on Feb 10, 2017

The population is aging in Canada as the baby boomer generation approaches and enters their later years. In a similar vein, the Canadian labour force is aging.

The aging population and labour force affect the Canadian economy. Policy makers, economists and government are concerned about how this will impact the economy.

Canada’s population growth is dependent upon the fertility rate, death rate and rate of immigration. Fertility rates have decreased over the decades as women have fewer children. Canadians are living longer. Immigration policy in Canada aims to bring more people into the country who can contribute to productivity and growth and compensation for the low fertility rate to keep the economy strong.

However, government, policy makers and economists do not fully recognize that older workers are eager to work and continue to work, in order to contribute to their communities. Older workers are skilled and experienced workers. They have communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills and have developed their ability to work with others. All of these skills are essential in the workplace today.

Organizational Level

As the populations ages and the workforce becomes older, all levels of society are impacted by demographic change. Importantly, this impacts organizations who are worried about a chronic labour shortage resulting from a rapidly aging population. Organizations have identified skill shortages in different roles across various industries. This is a top priority for business leaders.

Around the globe, other countries are innovating to address these concerns. These countries believe that the best way to adopt a successful aging strategy is to realize that aging is an opportunity.

One example is Japan, where policy makers have been steering the growing number of healthy 60- and 70 year olds away from retirement into work. These mature workers are taking on work roles and this makes them productive members of society. They hold jobs ”that otherwise would be impossible to fill as the population shrinks.”  ¹

Furthermore, an entrepreneurial focus on the aging demographic, with products and services to support aging, ensures that aging is a benefit that broader society can reap.

Although consumer spending growth overall is weak in Japan, economists at UBS Securities there say they believe the expansion of the senior market could more than offset any declines that come from a shrinking population, at least for a time.²

 

For Japan, the way forward is clear. For more, visit Aging Gracefully in the Wall Street Journal.

Footnotes:

^1,2Schlesinger, J. M. & Martin, A. (2015). Entrepreneurs are exploring robotics and other innovations to unleash the potential of the elderly. Aging Gracefully: Graying Japan Tries To Embrace the Golden Years.

Knowledge Sharing: Later Life Career

Posted by suzanne  on Dec 8, 2016

Redirection is an alternative to retirement. A large and growing proportion of older adults are choosing to work past what has traditionally been thought of as ‘retirement age’. This represents a significant shift in our society.

The Redirection Project examines this new and emerging social trend. Results of the research will be shared in January. First, a webinar will be held on January 12th, 2017. Sign up here. Second, there is a presentation at Cannexus17 in Ottawa on January 23rd. Sign up here.

The documentary film Redirection: Movers, Shakers and Shifters discusses these issues and portrays the stories of five adults who found second or third careers after age 50. The English and French trailers of the film are available. The documentary film is been screened through feature presentations around the country to great acclaim.

Documentary on Later Life Career

Posted by suzanne  on Oct 17, 2016

The ‘Redirection’ Documentary Film – Coming soon

There is a shift surrounding later life with the extension of working lives. In fact, both work and aging have changed a lot compared to earlier times. Specifically, the nature of work has changed, people are working longer, and people are aging differently.

People are living longer than in previous generations. They are thinking differently about their work and occupation. Work fills various objectives for individuals.

The documentary film “Redirection: Movers, Shakers and Shifters” shows the experiences of five people age 50 and older as they moved into second or third careers. The film is being released through feature presentations. The one minute trailer is available for viewing.

What will later life work look like for you? What’s next?