ACOEM, NIOSH urge employers to focus on health of aging workforce

Elk Grove Village, IL – To help the aging workforce remain productive, employers need to establish a “culture of health” in the workplace, according to a new article from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and NIOSH.

The article summarizes recommendations developed by the organizations in 2012 during a two-day national summit on aging in the workplace.

The organizations noted that the number of Americans 65 and older is expected to almost double between 2005 and 2030, and many will remain in the workforce.

Recommendations include increasing awareness among employers and creating a culture that promotes health in the same way many organizations already have a safety culture. The groups also called for developing policies that support workers at various age levels and providing incentives to encourage workers to adopt healthier habits.

The article was published in the May issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.