Helping older employees to plan

Recent research* has revealed that only around half (53 per cent) of people aged 50 to 59 are planning for later life. While the study itself defined “later life” as 60 and over, the survey respondents themselves thought on average it started at around age 58. Hardly the far-off future mists of time, then.

This is alarming news bearing in mind the dire daily warnings about the shortfall between pensions income and longevity on an individual basis and the fact that “later life” now lasts, on average, around 20 to 30 years.

The reasons behind the lack of planning were that people said they didn’t tend to plan in advance, or they felt themselves to be too young, or that later life was too far off. Respondents who were planning for later life were most likely to be in managerial and professional occupations and/or those with higher educational qualifications and higher incomes. 

In light of this information it seems that employers would do well to take the initiative and start providing later life planning courses for their employees aged from the mid 40s onwards. This would be of great benefit for employees in directing their thoughts towards certain significant inevitabilities that they do need to think about and plan for (e.g. health, finance, quality of life). It would also help employers themselves open the door to an ongoing dialogue with employees as they age, about their plans to work, change jobs, and retire and all the associated implications for both sides.

Such dialogue over a long period of time would solve many of the problems that employers currently fear around the recent abolition of default retirement age. It would address the issues in a timely and progressive manner which currently cannot be done with the usual type of pre-retirement course which, if at all, is offered to employees just prior to retirement.

Here at in my prime we have the resources, in conjuction with Cranfield University, to help any employer who is interested in taking this idea further.

*Study conducted by the Society and Social Change Group at the National Centre for Social Research for the Department for Work and Pensions

http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2011-2012/rrep737.pdf

Looking after your health, part two

Apparently this week (23 – 27 May) is Noise Action Week – an annual event co-ordinated by national charity Environmental Protection UK. It offers communities and organisations around the UK the opportunity to get involved in highlighting solutions to noise problems, as well as raising awareness of the impacts that excessive noise can have.  

In connection with this initiative Specsavers has undertaken research that has revealed that nearly six million people in the UK think they have a hearing loss but have not been for a hearing test.

This finding adds yet more weight to our last blog where we made the point in relation to dementia about the need to take individual responsibility for our health and optimal functioning as we age. Here, this study showed that more than three out of five Brits with hearing loss wait more than a year before seeking help. It also found that one in three with hearing difficulties were too embarrassed to wear a hearing aid and refused to visit an audiologist for advice.

Specsavers hearing aid audiologist, Colin Campbell BSHAA, commented: ‘We regularly see customers who’ve been suffering in silence for years. What some people believe, quite wrongly, is that wearing a hearing aid makes their hearing deteriorate quicker, when the reality is exactly the opposite. Hearing aids actually stimulate what hearing you have left, making it work harder to hear vital noises such as alarms”.

Specsavers recommends hearing tests every two years for those aged over 55 and annually thereafter if a loss is detected. So yet again, reduce the burden on others and get it sorted out if you feel you are losing your hearing. Being coy and embarrassed isn’t really a very grown up approach.

For more information on free hearing tests, please visit www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing

Food for thought

One of the great fears of growing older is dementia – a disease which apparently affects one in six people aged over 70. To date, society’s attitude towards it, based on our inadequate scientific knowledge, has been that it is unaovidable either because it is genetically pre-determined or because it can neither be predicted nor avoided through taking positive preventative action.

Now a new “early-warning” test has been developed by the not for profit organization, Food for the Brain, to identify mild cognitive impairment which may be related to the early development of dementia. The test follows a recent major study by Oxford University which demonstrated that taking an inexpensive vitamin pill could cut the brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s disease by substantial amounts. Taking the test, which is free and available online, is recommended for anyone over 50 who may suspect that they are starting to suffer memory impairment which is greater than that related to ageing alone (those “senior moments” of which we are all so aware).

As would be expected with any new health-related development, there is some debate amongst the medical fraternity as to whether inaccurate results from the test may cause unneccesary alarm and subsequent pressure on GPs from those who may be worried that they are affected by dementia. On the other hand it is already known that, as with many diseases, far too many people bury their heads in the sand and ignore symptoms until it is too late to take the action which may help slow down its rate of progress.

No doubt the debate will continue as further evidence emerges. For now, if nothing else, this test acts a useful reminder that, as with every aspect of our health as we age, it is down to us as individuals to take responsibility for doing everything possible to avoid diseases that threaten our future quality of life.

The Cognitive Function Test is available at www.foodforthebrain.org

Have you seen? – Predictors of attitudes to age across Europe

Research published today (17 May 2011) examines the interaction of differences between individuals and differences between countries in the European region (28 countries) on people’s attitudes toward old age (i.e. beyond the age of 70), and on their experiences of ageism.

To see report click below:

http://www.inmyprime.info/Have%20you%20seen/hys05.html

Have you seen? – Managing Age 2011

This revised guide from the CIPD and the TUC takes into account good practice developments since 2006 and the phasing out of the Default Retirement Age (DRA) from 6 April 2011.

To see guide click below:

http://www.inmyprime.info/Have%20you%20seen/ManagingAge2011CIPDTUC.html

Computing made easy for the over 50s

This Friday, May 20^th is Silver Surfers Day. A press release from an organization called Digital Unite tells us that “Being online can improve the lives of the over 55s” and make them feel “with it”. A cringeworthy phrase, but let’s move on.

For those without it – i.e. the ability and knowledge to access the internet, plenty of help is at hand. As a first port of call, two new books from Which? would make a perfect gift or investment for anyone (over 55 or not) grappling with technology. Computing made easy for the over 50s is the perfect guide for helping people to gain confidence using a pc. It starts from a base of no prior computing knowledge and through illustrated, step-by-step tutorials, jargon busters and plenty of helpful tips leads the reader through sending emails, finding information on the internet, using Microsoft Word and Excel, staying safe online and much, much more.

The book is one of a series which includes Internet made easy for the over 50s, and another new title – Laptops and mobile devices made easy. Both are available from bookshops or can be ordered from www.which.co.uk/books (on the assumption you’re already online) or by phone: 01903 828557.

For any older people seeking a more hands-on approach as a starting point, this week (16-20 May) is also Digital Unite’s national Spring Online campaign. Around 2,000 free digital taster events are taking place across the UK in schools, colleges, libraries, UK online centres, cafes, community centres, communal lounges, offices and even pubs, helping thousands of older people to learn about using computers and the internet. To find an event online, visit www.ukonlinecentres.com and enter your town or postcode in the ‘Find a Centre’ search box. More details about the campaign are available at www.springonline.org or call free on 0800 77 1234.

At last – flexible working for older employees?

The Government is to launch a consultation today on the right to request flexible working for all employees.

Whatever their prime motivation for doing so, this new initiative will address the neglected issue of the working patterns of those without immediate childcare responsibilities – especially the long-establishd fact that flexible working is the working pattern of choice for many older workers. Those (generally women) with elder care responsibilities (or those who look after grandchildren) may need to work this way. Others, as numerous research studies – including my own – have shown, simply would like to work flexibly in their last years at work.

Flexible working is one of the most significant ways that employers can ease some of the problems that will now occur as older employees can no longer be compelled to retire. Although there is bound to be some knee-jerk employer resistance, let’s hope that the majority can see the potential long-term benefits and support the introduction.