The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

Dan Jones, Director of Innovation and Change of the Centre for Ageing Better, presents at the Occupational Health Conference 2017. He looks at what makes for fulfilling work in later life and how health is such a significant factor.

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 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 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? 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 Main long-term health conditions by age group Annual Population Survey, April 2015 – March 2016 The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

12. Challenge #2: Co-morbidity 12 Proportion of people with multiple long-term health conditions, by age group Annual Population Survey, June 2015 - July 2016 The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?

13. Challenge #3: Insecurity 13 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? 14 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 [email protected] @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: 1160741 The Ageing Workforce: What does it mean for Occupational Health?