The document discusses the aging workforce in the UK and what it means for occupational health. It notes that there are over 10 million workers over 50, accounting for around 2 in 7 workers, and this proportion is growing rapidly. It also discusses how work supports a good later life through health, financial security, social connections and purpose. Finally, it examines the role of occupational health in supporting older workers through taking a preventative approach, focusing on capability over age, and ensuring access to flexible working and workplace adaptations.

1. The Ageing Workforce:
What does it mean for Occupational Health?
Dan Jones, Director of Innovation & Change
Occupational Health 2017

2. The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?
About the Centre for Ageing Better
2
We work for a society where everyone enjoys a good later life
We are an independent charitable foundation
We are a What Works Centre, promoting the better use of evidence
We work on a range of priority topics that matter for a good later life, including
“I am in fulfilling work”

3. Introducing the ageing workforce
3
The UK has approximately 10 million workers over 50
From a total workforce of approximately 36 million
2 in 7 workers are over 50
There are approximately 1.2 million workers over 65
1 in 30 workers are over 65
The number of older workers is growing, and
proportionally it is growing fast
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

4. How does work support a good later life?
4
Health Financial security Social connections Purpose
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?
Longitudinal data shows:
Similar frailty trajectories regardless of age of exit from work
(some evidence that part-time work in later life has better long-term outcomes)
Health selection effect for working post State Pension Age
Wellbeing, Health, Retirement and the Lifecourse (WHeRL)

5. Work is a health outcome in later life
5
Good health enables longer working lives
Ill health is the biggest driver of labour market exit in later life
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
Ill health or disability Retired Unemployed Caring Other
Reasons for not working, age 50 to State Pension Age
Labour Force Survey, 2013
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

6. Work is a health outcome in later life
6
Disabled people under 50 are more likely to be in work than not
Disabled people over 50 are more likely not to be in work
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
16-17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 64
‘000s
In work
Out of work
Disabled people in UK by age and employment status
Annual Population Survey, April 2015 – March 2016
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

7. What makes for fulfilling work in later life?
7
Review of evidence on what older people need and value from work
www.ageing-better.org.uk/fulfilling-work
The same as everyone else!
Social interaction
Autonomy and control
Challenge, progression, learning and development
… but evidence suggests fewer opportunities for older workers
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

8. What makes for fulfilling work in later life?
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Some factors become increasingly important in later life
Flexibility
… from 30s onward?
… often related to caring for adults (rather than children)
… location as well as hours
… evidence suggests lower uptake by older workers
Adaptations to manage health conditions
… roles and responsibilities as well as physical work environment
… both offer and uptake very limited
… different condition profile among older workers
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?
Review of evidence on what older people need and value from work
www.ageing-better.org.uk/fulfilling-work

9. The role of occupational health
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Focus on capability
Holistic assessment of health and functional capability – e.g. WorkAbility
Full and equal access to flexible working – hours, location and role / tasks
Full and equal access to workplace adaptations based on capability
Preventive approach to supporting older workers with health conditions
Early, work-focused follow-up during sickness absence
Workplace-based prevention and management especially for MSK and other slow-
onset conditions
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?
Ageing Better response to Work & Health Green Paper
www.ageing-better.org.uk/fulfilling-work

10. The role of occupational health
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New models of service provision
Household-based approaches to health and employment support
NHS-led occupational health support for self-employed people
Embed work as a health outcome – pathways, indicators, audit etc
New approaches to rehabilitation – multidisciplinary, community-based, work-focused
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?
Ageing Better response to Work & Health Green Paper
www.ageing-better.org.uk/fulfilling-work

11. Challenge #1: Slow-onset conditions
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Main long-term health conditions by age group
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
Musculoskeletal Chest or
breathing
Heart, blood
pressure,
circulation
Stomach, liver,
kidney, digestive
Diabetes Mental health
18-24
25-49
50-64
65+
Annual Population Survey, April 2015 – March 2016
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

12. Challenge #2: Co-morbidity
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Proportion of people with multiple long-term health conditions, by age group
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
18-24 25-49 50-64
0 1
2 3+
Annual Population Survey, June 2015 - July 2016
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

13. Challenge #3: Insecurity
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Change in percentage who feel they have job security, by age
group, 2005-2015
British Social Attitudes Survey
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

14. Responding to the challenges – Good practices? Good ideas?
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Prevention and management of slow-onset conditions
Lack of attention by employers or health service
Fatalism and internalised ageism among older workers – mustn’t grumble
Management of co-morbidity
Maintaining functional capability with multiple conditions
Stress, anxiety and insecurity
Responding to the rise of insecure work and workplace stress in later life
Extending occupational health offer to self-employed people and small businesses
The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

15. Dan Jones
dan.jones@ageing-better.org.uk
@DanFJones72
Centre for Ageing Better
Angel Building, Level 3
407 St John Street, London, EC1V 4AD
020 3829 0113
www.ageing-better.org.uk
Registered Company Number: 8838490 & Charity Registration Number: 1160741The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?