Senior living organizations that want to retain older workers should consider providing wellness programming for employees and fostering a workplace perceived as supportive and inclusive for workers of ages, emphasizing intergenerational connections. Otherwise, Boomer employees may leave the organization for retirement or other career opportunities, or show their dissatisfaction.

Those are two major conclusions of a recently conducted survey by the Mather Institute, entitled “Baby Boomers at Work, Wellness, and Retirement Considerations of Baby Boomers Employed in Senior Living.” Based on a survey of 232 senior living employees ages 50+, the report provides insights on the challenges Boomer employees may face as they continue working; why older employees may not participate in wellness programs, despite their strong interest in this type of programming; and how perceptions of one’s workplace as “age-friendly” affect work outcomes.

The study is a must-read for active-aging organizations whose employees also are aging, and those looking ahead to a diverse, experienced workforce. In addition to presenting the current realities for older workers in the industry, the study offers concrete recommendations for meeting workers’ goals and concerns to optimize both staff and resident satisfaction. Notably, it stresses the importance of initiatives that address multiple dimensions of wellness simultaneously, a way of providing efficient programming while overcoming “lack of time” as a barrier to participation.

To download the full survey, click here

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The ICAA welcomes your news submissions. Please send your press releases to colinmilner@icaa.cc-the ICAA's email for submissions-and staff will consider your news for possible publication. Newsworthy topics include such things as center/community openings; initiative or campaign launches; announcements of awards, promotions or grants; and other topics of interest to active-aging professionals.

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