February 16, 2007
Did you know...?
Most employers will need to deal with an older work force soon. Some of the issues employers may encounter include controlling workers’ compensation costs, accommodating workers who may have return-to-work restrictions, and prevention of work-related injuries. How you adjust to the needs of the aging worker will have an impact on worker productivity, workers’ compensation costs, and the bottom line.
The number of U.S. workers over the age of 40 has increased significantly since 1980. By 2010, it is estimated that more than 51 percent of the workforce is expected to be 40 or older, a 33 percent increase since 1980, while those in the workforce aged 25 to 39 will decline 5.7 percent, and there will be fewer workers 25 years and younger in the workforce than ever before. Although people are retiring in greater numbers, there are many workers who need to remain employed. The AARP reports that 69 percent of employees over the age of 45 plan to continue working past 65. Meanwhile, fewer younger workers are entering the workforce.
With an aging workforce comes a lower work capacity (for physical jobs) and mental functional capacity (mainly relating to perception, but learning is affected as well). Typical impairments seen in the aging worker include diminished vision, hearing, perception of body position, dexterity and flexibility. Some functional losses are accelerated by the onset of age-related degenerative diseases and ailments, including hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes and macular degeneration. In addition, disabling conditions, including arthritis and orthopedic impairments resulting from occupational injuries, sports injuries, and injuries from automobile accidents experienced earlier in life tend to manifest themselves as the body ages.
An individual’s aging process is usually evident by his or her third decade, and is gradual and progressive. Through healthy lifestyles, the process may be slowed, but its progression is inevitable. Many factors affect the aging process or function of the body such as genetic factors; exposures and life style including diet, body weight and smoking; other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, etc.; medications used to treat diseases; and the type and severity of injuries the individual experiences. Neurological and sensory systems demonstrate some of the earliest effects of the aging process.
Advancing age affects the musculoskeletal system in a number of ways. While variable depending on an individual’s activities and conditioning, there is generally a loss of lean muscle mass with the aging process starting in the 40’s. This reduction in muscle mass is also associated with a reduction in flexibility and strength, leaving the individual with reduced range of motion and increased risk for injury. There is also reduction of bone density, particularly in the sedentary individual. Lastly, the joints typically develop increased stiffness or develop arthritic changes, ligaments and tendons may show thinning, and discs become degenerative in nature. All these changes tend to reduce the total physical capacity of the individual, reduce the ability to perform heavy tasks, and increase the likelihood of injury from cumulative events or a sudden episodic event. Ergonomic principles should be implemented to try to reduce the risk of over exertion type injuries such as tendon tears, awkward postures that may cause increased stress to certain body parts, and injuries that may aggravate pre-existing or naturally deteriorating conditions such as arthritis of the knee, degenerative changes in the rotator cuff, or degenerative disc disease.
The same injuries, diseases, and degenerative changes that affect the musculoskeletal system can cause instability of the back. The ligaments and neuromuscular components of the spinal column can become so weak that they are unable to hold the spinal column in normal range of motion. The more mobile the segments of the spinal column are, the less stable the spinal column becomes. Causes of instability include obesity, poor posture, fatigue or overexertion, lack of exercise, poor nutrition and smoking. Prevention of back injuries includes: losing weight; maintaining good posture (while doing all activities – sitting, standing, lifting, etc.); regular exercise including stretching and strength training; good nutrition; and reducing poor health habits such as smoking.
Vision changes can lead to headaches, learning impairments, and falls. Common vision changes due to aging include a decrease in one’s ability to distinguish colors, an increased need for illumination in the workplace, decreased ability to adapt to changing light levels, and general eye fatigue. Eyestrain is amplified with the onset of pre-operative cataracts and presbyopia (“aging eyes”), which can be experienced as early as age 35. Preventive health programs should include routine eye exams including vision screenings. Other suggestions for prevention of injuries due to vision changes include providing better lighting (older workers require 2-3 times the lighting than the younger worker), reduce glare, and provide more contrasting color (good for use on first or last step or staircase to prevent falls) in the workplace.
Hearing loss restricts one’s ability to interact with others; to get, receive and interpret information; and to use sounds to identify hazards in the environment, and functions of computers and equipment in the workplace. Hearing impairments can range from slight tone loss to total deafness. Typically, people have a loss in specific tonal ranges, which renders certain sounds or voices indistinguishable. Hearing loss is a major problem for older adults. According to the American Society on Aging, of the reported 38 million Americans with a hearing loss, 60 percent are over the age 55. Partial hearing loss can limit learning, independence and affect the quality of life. Prevention programs should include routine hearing screenings, and hearing conservation.
The older worker has much to contribute to the employer including: a better ability to deliberate, reason, comprehend; better verbal command; higher motivation to learn; stronger commitment to work; greater work experience; and more faithful to employer. Older working adults can be very productive in the workplace when safety precautions are taken.
Recognizing potential problems, choosing solutions and setting goals for prevention are keys to keeping the aging worker healthy and productive in the workplace. Prevention programs can help identify concerns before they become problems and provide education for better working environments for the worker of any age.
For corporate preventive health care programs please contact our Client Services Team at 816-561-2105 or customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
To learn more about OHS-COMPCARE contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
17020 East 40 Highway |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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* Extended Hours* |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |