WASHINGTON, DC, Mar 17 — It’s a given that the state of the U.S. economy over the past several years has caused many elders in our population to go back to work or, for those who are already in the workplace, to keep their jobs as long as they can. The inflationary cycle triggered by the policies of the Biden administration didn’t make it easy for older workers to make ends meet. The cost of living has increased considerably over the past two years. But, according to a survey conducted by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, “almost half of Baby Boomer workers (49 percent) expect to or already are working past age 70 or do not plan to retire. Their reasons for doing so are almost as likely to be healthy aging-related (78 percent) as financial-related (82 percent).”
The first boomers, those of us born between 1946 and 1964, celebrated our 65th birthdays in 2011 but many of them opted to keep working. The online employment agency, Indeed, says these aging workers are in demand. For one thing, “Baby boomers often aim to work as long as it takes to reach their goals and try to differentiate themselves by attaining the promotion, raise or acknowledgment they want…This generation has experienced the benefits of hard work and dedication, which is something they expect from their employer.”
What makes senior citizens particularly valued members of the American workforce? Reliability, maturity and professionalism. The senior services organization, Vantage Aging, says that this results “in a strong work ethic. With an older worker, you often find yourself with someone who works hard to get the job done right.
It is estimated that the aging of the U.S. will continue for another four decades during which the numbers of the 65-year-old population will increase by more than 37 million, increasing from 46 million today to more than 98 million in 2060. The American Psychological Association reports that, going forward, “older adults will live longer than ever before: One out of every four 65-year-olds today will live past age 90. This demographic shift has moved the focus of researchers, health care providers and policymakers from how to extend the lifespan to ways to improve the quality of our later years. Staying healthy, active and productive are admirable goals for our nation’s older adults. However, society’s view of ‘old age’ has not always kept up with the reality of being old in America. Many current beliefs about aging were based on information that is no longer valid given recent scientific advances.”
The aging process is not kind to the elderly. Many of us will have memory issues, we might find some complex chores are harder than they used to be and we might have difficulty staying focused. But the National Institute on Aging [NIA] tells us that “aging may also bring positive cognitive changes. For example, many studies have shown that older adults have more extensive vocabularies and greater knowledge of the depth of meaning of words than younger adults.” However, the NIA also points out that “despite the changes in cognition that may come with age, older adults can still do many of the things they have enjoyed their whole lives. Research shows that older adults can still: learn new skills, form new memories and Improve vocabulary and language skills.”
John Grimaldi served on the first non-partisan communications department in the New York State Assembly and is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Priva Technologies, Inc. He has served for more than thirty years as a Trustee of Daytop Village Foundation, which oversees a worldwide drug rehabilitation network.
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This is partly a stereotype that older people cannot work on the same level as the younger generation, arguing that they are not able to master modern technological solutions. You can help these workers by making the learning process easier and more efficient, according to their needs fluix.io/fluix-for-training
I am 71 years young and continue to work by choice. I answer phones a great deal and sometimes have a hard time understanding when the younger generation are on the other end. It seems like they don’t have time to speak clearly and understandably. I sometimes have to say “I am sorry but my matured ears do not understand what you are saying. Can you please speak a little slower?” They are taken aback but comply and we move forward. I do not understand how these young people get along and communicate with each other!
This is a very important article, good for you for writing it John Grimaldi, Well Done ! The information from the National Institute on Aging is important, the observation that older adults have more extensive vocabularies and greater knowledge of the depth of meaning of words than younger adults. How very true. This particular topic has some implications worth considering regarding the fundamental nature of communication in all aspects of life, not just in the business sense. At 72, this is a matter of principle too, I am not going to speak in a manner that I know to be not expressive of the truest meaning of something, even if I am in a situation where I am dealing with people half my age and they have some advantage in the business being conducted, I will instead change course in terms of vocabulary until the understanding is established that describes things accurately , and clearly, and from various perspectives for a true , intelligent form of communication. As the National Institute on Aging mentioned the ” greater knowledge of the depth of meaning of words ” can present some opportunities to help those younger with less developed vocabularies and that would be the right thing to do. To point out that the consideration of different levels of communication improves understanding is the proper thing to do . It is something that needs to be handled accordingly depending on the circumstances. I would like to add that I believe that it is far better to provide ideas and suggestions for improving things that need improvement, and fixing whatever needs to be fixed than it is to complain about situations. Complaining is comparable to going around in a circle. It makes for better conditions , better understanding to propose an idea , make a suggestion that will be a positive solution to whatever is needed to be fixed or improved.
My grandson’s wife is 21, holding down a full time job and attending medical school in the evening. There are those who do have the ethics to show up on time and perform as agreed or beyond, for the pay they get. I’ve also known slackers in the coveted mature group who I wouldn’t want either. Paying people not to work isn’t a good model to attract and keep motivated individuals.
As long as government keeps the younger generation on welfare, there will never be a good and moral generation with high class work ethics. And the companies will suffer until they start badgering elected officials every day to change this.
Test US, X Train US, find our niches
Reuse.
“Education” department has a lot to learn
I went grocery shopping yesterday at our large Walmart. They have good produce. At the checkout line, someone from the office came up to me and begged me to take a job there! Starting pay–$15/hr.
The Tacoma is aging gracefully (it’s a 2001), and someday I will have to replace it with a used version. If I weren’t already committed to 3 farmers’ markets per week (self-employed horticulturist), I might have considered it. The reasons she and the cashier gave were: young people take the job but show up only half the time or frequently late. They’ll accept the job and then not show up at all! Too many piercings, tattoos…
I agree with the author; we “mature” citizens have much to offer. We have the benefit of acquired wisdom, a better sense of responsibility, business savvy, and the ability to actually approach problems rationally instead of looking up suggestions on Youtube. I’m 70 now, in good health, and plan to work another…well, heck, I don’t plan to ever retire for good.
What you describe in terms of new hires either being always late for work or never showing up after they accept a job is a wide-spread problem everywhere. When companies have followed up to find out why the new hire never even bothered to show up for Day One of work, the answers usually centered around “I changed my mind.”, “I decided I don’t want to work 5 days a week.”, “I decided I only want to work part-time where I can make my own hours and come and go as I please.” or “I’m not ready to work full-time and want to explore other options.” This is the future of America Kim, where work is being viewed as optional and something to avoided if at all possible. Obviously as the problem gets worse, companies will have to downsize instead of expand and the economy as whole will suffer.
My older millennials complain about the early twenties in the same terms you use.
PaulE and Morbious–
This country is falling apart! The longer the dems–and their endless programs–stay in office, the worse it gets. They are not setting a good example for anyone.
I had this conversation with my brother last night. The thin ray of hope shines on those individuals who DO work, who ARE competitive, and who CAN produce results. His grade-school grandsons play in very competitive sports leagues. I’ve watched some of the video– showing competitiveness, good sportsmanship, playing by the rules, anticipating the plays…they and their teammates will shape America’s future. When I was attending a nephew’s graduation ceremony at West Point, years ago, and spoke with some of the cadets, I had that same feeling of “everything will be okay” pride in our youth. When they are the exception rather than the rule…we’re in trouble.
Older Americans are simply more educated and much more experienced. Then there is the fact that by this age group isn’t woke based that is detrimental to prosperity of successful businesses. Look at the recent SVB bank failure that hired woke based managers who made financial decisions based on woke idiology
Older Americans are simply more educated and much more experienced. Then there is the fact that by this age group isn’t woke based that is detrimental to prosperity of successful businesses. Look at the recent SVB bank failure that hired woke based employees who made financial decisions based on woke idiology
Well said Dr Rene. In general, older people tend to have a better work ethic, have none of the trappings of the “woke” ideology that seeks to find some sort of justification around every corner to avoid doing the job at hand, and they are indeed far more competent in the subject matter that the job entails. All most companies want are competent, self-motivated and self-reliant employees that can execute their job duties in a consistently reliable manner without any drama. Almost all of those traits are absent in the “woke” generations.
Would be an interesting experiment to compare the work habits of a American 25-year-old, versus a immigrant, applying for the same job. 
Totally agree