Americans are reversing what had been a nearly century-long decline in the participation of older people in the workforce.

For both workers and employers, the rising number of older workers is the result of choice and circumstance.

Workers, faced with shrinking medical and dental benefits and less generous retirement plans, find they don’t have the financial resources to support themselves in retirement, so a lot more of them are returning to work.

Companies, faced with a labor gap that will rise to 4.8 million workers within 10 years and 20 million within 20 years, are seeing older workers in a new light. Older workers represent a pool of talent companies need.

Conventional wisdom used to be that employees over 50 cost companies more in terms of medical problems and missed workdays. But that may not be the case, as studies show that costs associated with older workers are about the same as those of younger workers.

Workers over 50 make up for additional health costs by being more reliable and often more productive than younger workers. An AARP survey of human resource professionals showed that 77% said that older workers have a higher level of commitment than younger workers, and 68% said it cost less or the same to train older workers compared to younger workers.

Older workers also tend to have fewer or no dependent-related health- or child-care costs, and they require lower training and recruitment costs, according to Gail Jern, human resources manager for Westaff.

10 Real Expectations for Quality of LIfe in a Well Managed Long Term Care Facility, by Jill B. Thomas RNC, LNHA is the Vice President and Founder of Advance Care Planning, Inc

Advising Your Client How to Recognize Ten Real Expectations for Quality of Life in a Well Managed Long Term Care Facility

Long term care facilities will become home to millions of “Baby Boomers,” in the coming years. Many people fear the move from their own home to a long term care faciliy.. they just don�t know what to expect. Every person has a right to good care under the 1987 Federal Nursing Home Reform Law. 

The law, which is part of the Social Security Act, states that a long tem care facility must help each resident ‘attain or maintain’ his or her highest level of well being – physically, mentally and emotionally. This report sets the expectations of those needing to address the long term needs of their family members. Through the use of the Advancer Care Plan, a family member can count on these expectations, and more importantly, can be assured that the care is specifically tailored to the loved one’s needs.

Read the full 10 Expectations of Long Term Care