scholarly journals COVID-19 and the ageing workforce: global perspectives on needs and solutions across 15 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Pit ◽  
Malcolm Fisk ◽  
Winona Freihaut ◽  
Fashola Akintunde ◽  
Bamidele Aloko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ageing Workforce ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background COVID-19 has a direct impact on the employment of older people. This adds to the challenge of ageism. The World Health Organization has started a worldwide campaign to combat ageism and has called for more research and evidence-based strategies that have the potential to be scaled up. This study specifically aims to identify solutions to combat the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the global ageing workforce. Methods We present 15 case studies from different countries and report on what those countries are doing or not doing to address the impact of COVID-19 on ageing workers. Results We provide examples of how COVID-19 influences older people’s ability to work and stay healthy, and offer case studies of what governments, organizations or individuals can do to help ensure older people can obtain, maintain and, potentially, expand their current work. Case studies come from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Across the countries, the impact of COVID-19 on older workers is shown as widening inequalities. A particular challenge has arisen because of a large proportion of older people, often with limited education and working in the informal sector within rural areas, e.g. in Nigeria, Thailand and China. Remedies to the particular disadvantage experienced by older workers in the context of COVID are presented. These range from funding support to encouraging business continuity, innovative product and service developments, community action, new business models and localized, national and international actions. The case studies can be seen as frequently fitting within strategies that have been proven to work in reducing ageism within the workplace. They include policy and laws that have increased benefits to workers during lockdowns (most countries); educational activities such as coaching seniorpreneurship (e,g, Australia); intergenerational contact interventions such as younger Thai people who moved back to rural areas and sharing their digital knowledge with older people and where older people reciprocate by teaching the younger people farming knowledge. Conclusion Global sharing of this knowledge among international, national and local governments and organizations, businesses, policy makers and health and human resources experts will further understanding of the issues that are faced by older workers. This will facilitate the replication or scalability of solutions as called for in the WHO call to combat ageism in 2021. We suggest that policy makers, business owners, researchers and international organisations build on the case studies by investing in evidence-based strategies to create inclusive workplaces. Such action will thus help to challenge ageism, reduce inequity, improve business continuity and add to the quality of life of older workers.

The Ageing Workforce: Employers' Attitudes towards Older People

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip E. Taylor ◽  
Alan Walker
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Labour Force Participation ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Ageing Workforce ◽  
The Government ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact

This article reports the results of a national postal survey of employers' attitudes and policies towards older workers supported by the ESRC. The survey's key findings are discussed in the context of the declining labour force participation of older people over the last twenty years and the recent turnaround in official and some employer attitudes towards this group. Findings of particular importance are those relating to the sectoral differences in employers' orientations towards older workers, such as the larger proportion of those in the production and construction than in the service sectors who were using early retirement schemes and the differences in strategic responses to the ageing workforce, with the service sector leading production, construction and manufacturing; the impact of employers' perceptions of older workers' lack of appropriate skills which, when coupled with figures illustrating the lack of access of older people to both official and employer training programmes, suggests a self-fulfilling prophecy; and the surprising support given by employers for anti-age discrimination legislation. Data from the survey are also used to test the model put forward by Atkinson (1989) suggesting that employers' policies develop incrementally. The article concludes by arguing that the educative approach favoured by the government is not likely to have a significant impact on the employment prospects of older workers. Therefore this group is likely to be increasingly confined to a choice between low-skill/low-wage jobs in the service sector or non-employment.

scholarly journals The impact of living arrangements and intergenerational support on the health status of older people in China: are rural residents disadvantaged compared to urban residents?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Yazhen Yang ◽  
Maria Evandrou ◽  
Athina Vlachantoni
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Intergenerational Support ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Research to-date has examined the impact of intergenerational support in terms of isolated types of support, or at one point in time, failing to provide strong evidence of the complex effect of support on older persons’ wellbeing. Using the Harmonised China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011, 2013 and 2015), this paper investigates the impact of older people's living arrangements and intergenerational support provision/receipt on their physical and psychological wellbeing, focusing on rural–urban differences. The results show that receiving economic support from one's adult children was a stronger predictor for higher life satisfaction among rural residents compared to urban residents, while grandchild care provision was an important determinant for poor life satisfaction only for urban residents. Having weekly in-person and distant contact with one's adult children reduced the risk of depression in both rural and urban residents. Older women were more likely than men to receive support and to have contact with adult children, but also to report poor functional status and depression. The paper shows that it is important to improve the level of public economic transfers and public social care towards vulnerable older people in rural areas, and more emphasis should be placed on improving the psychological wellbeing of urban older residents, such as with the early diagnosis of depression.

EMPLOYMENT OF OLDER PEOPLE IN THE MODERN LABOR MARKET

2021 ◽  
pp. 409-418
Author(s):  
В.Ю. Бабышев ◽  
Г. А. Барышева
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Labor Legislation ◽  
Demographic Aging ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Medical Advances ◽  
The Impact

В статье рассматривается занятость лиц пожилого возраста в условиях сорвеменных технологических, медицинских и демографических изменений. Актуальность темы исследования обусловлена демографическим старением населения, современными достижениями медицины и изменением характера трудовых операций в результате научно-технического прогресса. В данной статье проверены следующие конкурирующие гипотезы: производительность работников старших возрастных групп находится ниже уровня рентабельности из-за неуклонного ухудшения здоровья или, наоборот, ценность работников старших возрастных групп на современном рынке труда возрастает из-за повышения роли опыта, навыков и квалификации. Дополнительно проанализирован вопрос влияния систем пенсионного обеспечения на мотивацию лиц пожилого возраста к продолжению трудовой деятельности. Для проверки данных гипотез на основе статистики Организации экономического сотрудничества и развития проведен анализ общего уровня занятости, участия в рабочей силе и безработицы, а также временной и неполной занятости по нескольким возрастным группам в диапазоне 15-65 лет и старше. Для оценки динамики проанализирована ситуация на 2000 и 2019 гг. В целом сделан вывод, что количественные и качественные параметры занятости у работников старших возрастных групп уступают среднему рабочему возрасту, однако во временной динамике использование человеческого капитала лиц пожилого возраста растет. В области геронтологии рекомендовано уделять повышенное внимание улучшению здоровья возрастной когорты 65 лет и старше и изменению трудового законодательства в плане стимулирования продолжения трудовой деятельности после официального наступления пенсионного возраста. The article examines the employment of older people in the context of disrupted technological, medical and demographic changes. The relevance of the research topic is due to the demographic aging of the population, modern medical advances and changes in the nature of labor operations as a result of scientific and technological progress. In this article, the following competing hypotheses are tested: the productivity of older workers is below the level of profitability due to a steady decline in health, or vice versa, the value of older workers in the modern labor market is increasing due to the increasing role of experience, skills and qualifications. Additionally, the question of the impact of pension systems on the motivation of older people to continue working is analyzed. To test these hypotheses, based on OECD statistics, we analyzed the overall level of employment, labor force participation and unemployment, as well as temporary and underemployment for several age groups in the range of 15-65+ years. To assess the dynamics, the situation for 2000 and 2019 was analyzed. In general, the author concludes that the quantitative and qualitative parameters of employment of older people are inferior to the average working age, but over time, the use of the human capital of older people is growing. In the field of gerontology, it is recommended to pay increased attention to improving the health of the 65+ age cohort and changing labor legislation in order to stimulate the continuation of work.

Linking Scientific Research to Development Agenda

2018 ◽  
pp. 374-391
Author(s):  
P. K. Kenabatho ◽  
B. P. Parida ◽  
B. Matlhodi ◽  
D.B. Moalafhi
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, the scientific community has been urged to undertake research that can immediately have impact on development issues, including national policies, strategies, and people's livelihoods, among others. While this is a fair call from decision makers, it should also be realized that science by nature is about innovation, discovery and knowledge generation. In this context, there is need for a balance between long term scientific investigations and short term scientific applications. With regard to the former, researchers spend years investigating (or need data of sufficient record length) to provide sound and reliable solutions to a problem at hand while in the latter, it is possible to reach a solution with few selected analyses. In all cases, it is advisable that researchers, where possible should link their studies to topical development issues in their case studies. In this paper, we use a hydrometeorological project in the Notwane catchment, Botswana, to show the importance of linking research to development agenda for mutual benefit of researchers and policy makers. The results indicate that some key development issues are being addressed by the Project and the scope exists to improve the impact of the project.

scholarly journals How does mode of travel affect risks posed to other road users? An analysis of English road fatality data, incorporating gender and road type

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2019-043534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Aldred ◽  
Rob Johnson ◽  
Christopher Jackson ◽  
James Woodcock
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Road Fatality ◽  
Road Type ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundMost analysis of road injuries examines the risk experienced by people using different modes of transport, for instance, pedestrian fatalities per-head or per-km. A small but growing field analyses the impact that the use of different transport modes has on other road users, for instance, injuries to others per-km driven.MethodsThis paper moves the analysis of risk posed to others forward by comparing six different vehicular modes, separating road types (major vs minor roads in urban vs rural settings). The comparison of risk posed by men and women for all these modes is also novel.ResultsPer-vehicle kilometre, buses and lorries pose much the highest risk to others, while cycles pose the lowest. Motorcycles pose a substantially higher per-km risk to others than cars. The fatality risk posed by cars or vans to ORUs per km is higher in rural areas. Risk posed is generally higher on major roads, although not in the case of lorries, suggesting a link to higher speeds. Men pose higher per-km risk to others than women for all modes except buses, as well as being over-represented among users of the most dangerous vehicles.ConclusionsFuture research should examine more settings, adjust for spatial and temporal confounders, or examine how infrastructure or route characteristics affect risk posed to others. Although for most victims the other vehicle involved is a car, results suggest policy-makers should also seek to reduce disproportionate risks posed by the more dangerous vehicles, for instance, by discouraging motorcycling. Finally, given higher risk posed to others by men across five of six modes analysed, policy-makers should consider how to reduce persistent large gender imbalances in jobs involving driving.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the impact of an iodine supplementation programme on severely iodine-deficient schoolchildren with hypothyroidism

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahid Salarkia ◽  
Mehdi Hedayati ◽  
Parvin Mirmiran ◽  
Masood Kimiagar ◽  
Fereidoun Azizi
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
World Health ◽  
Urinary Iodine Excretion ◽  
Iodised Salt ◽  
Iodine Supplementation ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackground:Northern rural areas of Tehran have been shown to have severe iodine deficiency in our previous studies. In 1989 the inhabitants of these villages received an injection of iodised oil, followed by iodised salt distribution in 1993. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the iodine supplementation on iodine-deficient schoolchildren with hypothyroidism in these villages.Methods:In total, 571 students aged 6–14 years were studied. Goitre was graded according to the World Health Organization classification. Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined using commercial kits, and urinary iodine was measured using a digestion method. The results were compared with data from our previous study in 1989.Results:Total goitre rate decreased by 42% in 1999 compared with that in 1989. A significant decrease in Grade 2 goitre concomitant with an increase in Grade 1 goitre was seen (P < 0.001). Values of the variables studied before (1989) and 10 years after iodine supplementation (1999) were: median urinary iodine excretion, 2.0 vs. 19.0 μg dl−1 (P < 0.001); T4, 6.5 ± 2.0 vs. 8.4 ± 1.6 μg dl−1 (P < 0.001); T3, 177 ± 38.0 vs. 145 ± 29.0 ng dl−1 (P < 0.001); TSH, 10.8 ± 15.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.8 μU ml−1 (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between thyroid hormones and TSH on the one hand, and goitre and urinary iodine, on the other. Serum T4, T3 and TSH concentrations were within normal ranges in all schoolchildren in 1999.Conclusion:This study showed that euthyroidism induced by administration of iodised oil in iodine-deficient schoolchildren with hypothyroidism is sustained following the consumption of iodised salt.

scholarly journals CHALLANGES FACING THE EMERGING ECONOMY DURING COVID-19 THE CASE OF JORDAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Basem Al-Lozi ◽  
Sheren Hamed
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
World Health ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges of the Jordanian economy during COVID-19. The Jordanian economy may have to face different scenarios in his macro-environment. Specifically, the study focused on the impact COVID-19 on the Jordanian economy. Methodology: An exploratory research method was used to build three scenarios. The sample randomly selected from Jordanians in the capital of Jordan Amman. The study divided the sample to three groups and asking them three questions related to the expectations of the impact of COVID-19 on the Jordanian economy for the coming years. Results: The study findings revealed that the majority of respondents (55.2%) are optimistic that the COVID-19 will finish and Jordan economy will be booming. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Recommendations were provided for Jordanian policy makers to deal scenarios. For example Jordan government and policy makers has to be pragmatic, and work toward lowering level of expectations among Jordanian economy to avoid the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy. Cooperation between the public sector and private sector in implementing the instructions of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health to decrease the number of cases to open more sectors which will have a positive impact on the Jordanian economy.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of the General Population, Students, and Health Care Workers: A Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Sankhi ◽  
Nirmal Raj Marasine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Background: The COVID-19 among humans is spreading heavily and is largely impacting the mental health of the general population, students, and health care workers worldwide. Hence, this review aims to summarize the literatures addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the general population, students, and health care workers. Methods: Published articles concerning mental health of the general population, students, and health care workers related to the COVID-19 outbreak have been considered and reviewed. Results and Discussion: Mental health symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression are common psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population, students, and health care workers. This collectively influences daily behavior, economy, prevention strategies and decision making from policy makers and health organizations, weakening the strategies of COVID-19 control leading to more morbidity and mental health needs at the global level. Conclusion: There is a need for more evidence-based research from other affected countries, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents, people of lower socioeconomic status, and those residing in rural areas, so that valid strategies can be developed and COVID-19 and outbreaks of similar types in the near future can be prevented.

scholarly journals A qualitative study of old patients’ experiences of the quality of the health services in hospital and 30 days after hospitalization

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingvild Lilleheie ◽  
Jonas Debesay ◽  
Asta Bye ◽  
Astrid Bergland
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Healthcare Quality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The number of people aged 80 years and above is projected to triple over the next 30 years. People in this age group normally have at least two chronic conditions. The impact of multimorbidity is often significantly greater than expected from the sum of the effects of each condition. The World Health Organization has indicated that healthcare systems must prepare for a change in the focus of clinical care for older people. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthcare quality as care that is effective, efficient, integrated, patient centered, equitable and safe. The degree to which healthcare quality can be defined as acceptable is determined by services’ ability to meet the needs of users and adapt to patients’ expectations and perceptions.Method: We took a phenomenological perspective to explore older patients’ subjective experiences and conducted semistructured individual interviews. Eighteen patients (aged from 82 to 100 years) were interviewed twice after discharge from hospital. The interview transcriptions were analyzed thematically.Results: The patients found their meetings with the health service to be complex and demanding. They reported attempting to restore a sense of security and meaning in everyday life, balancing their own needs against external requirements. Five overarching themes emerged from the interviews: hospital stay and the person behind the diagnosis, poor communication and coordination, life after discharge, relationship with their next of kin, and organizational and systemic determinants.Conclusion: According to the WHO, to deliver quality healthcare, services must include all six of the dimensions listed above. Our findings show that they do not. Healthcare focused on measurable values and biomedical inquiries. Few opportunities for participation, scant information and suboptimal care coordination left the patients with a feeling of being in limbo, where they struggled to find balance in their everyday life. Further work must be done to ensure that integrated services are provided without a financial burden, centered on the needs and rights of older people.

scholarly journals Disability, economic and work-role status of individuals and their families in Bangladesh, post-unilateral lower-limb amputation (LLA) and pre-rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Shapin Ibne Sayeed ◽  
Jodi Oakman ◽  
Michael P. Dillon ◽  
Rwth Stuckey
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Lower Limb Amputation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Mobility Impairment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gendered Roles ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background To quantify disability, occupation and socioeconomic status of individuals and their families in Bangladesh, post-unilateral lower-limb amputation (LLA) and pre-rehabilitation. Methods Between November 2017 and February 2018, people with unilateral LLA attending two XXX prosthetic rehabilitation centres were surveyed prior to rehabilitation, using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2.0) with additional socio-economic questions. Data was analysed descriptively, and cross-tabulation conducted with Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact tests. Results Seventy-six individuals participated. The majority had transtibial amputation (61.8%) from trauma (64.5%), were young adults (37.92 ± 12.35 years), in paid work prior to LLA (80%), married (63.2%), male (81.6%), from rural areas (78.9%), with primary/no education (72.4%). After LLA, mobility (WHODAS score 74.61 ± 13.19) was the most negatively affected domain. Most (60.5%) participants did not return to a paid or unpaid occupation. Acute healthcare costs negatively impacted most families (89.5%), and over 80% became impoverished. Nearly 70% of previous income-earners became economically dependent resulting in changes to traditional family roles. Conclusions Following LLA, most participants experienced significant mobility impairment, were unable to return to paid occupation and became economically dependent. The study population presents with many different characteristics from other people with LLA globally, which suggest with timely rehabilitation a return to paid employment is possible. The impact of LLA extends beyond the individual, including to families, many of whom face challenges with changes to traditional primary earner gendered roles. Improved access to timely and affordable rehabilitation is required to reduce the significant personal and societal costs of disability after LLA.

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