Silverstein Michael
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
Am J Ind Med. 2008 Apr;51(4):269-80. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20569.
Demographic, labor market and economic forces are combining to produce increases in the number and percentage of U.S. workers 55 and older. In some ways these workers will be our most skilled and productive employees but in others the most vulnerable.
The literature on aging and work was reviewed, including demographic trends, physical and cognitive changes, safety and performance, work ability, and retirement patterns.
Older workers have more serious, but less frequent, workplace injuries and illnesses than younger ones. There is evidence that many of these problems can be prevented and their consequences reduced by anticipating the physical and cognitive changes of age. Many employers are aware that such efforts are necessary, but most have not yet addressed them. There is a need for implementation and evaluative research of programs and policies with four dimensions: the work environment, work arrangements and work-life balance, health promotion and disease prevention, and social support. Employers who establish age-friendly workplaces that promote and support the work ability of employees as they age may gain in safety, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable business practices.
人口结构、劳动力市场和经济因素共同作用，使得美国55岁及以上的劳动者数量和占比不断增加。在某些方面，这些劳动者将是我们最有技能、生产力最高的员工，但在其他方面，他们又是最脆弱的。
对有关衰老与工作的文献进行了综述，包括人口趋势、身体和认知变化、安全与绩效、工作能力以及退休模式。
与年轻劳动者相比，年长劳动者在工作场所受到的伤害和患病情况更严重，但发生频率更低。有证据表明，通过预见到年龄带来的身体和认知变化，其中许多问题是可以预防的，其后果也可以减轻。许多雇主都意识到有必要做出这样的努力，但大多数雇主尚未采取行动。有必要对以下四个方面的计划和政策进行实施和评估研究：工作环境、工作安排与工作生活平衡、健康促进与疾病预防以及社会支持。建立对年龄友好的工作场所、促进并支持员工随着年龄增长而保持工作能力的雇主，可能会在安全性、生产力、竞争力和可持续商业实践方面有所收获。
