My boss is a 74-year old woman who is by far, the best manager I’ve had in my 20+ year career. She’s curious, energetic, charismatic and above all, connected. She’s the antithesis to prevailing aging stereotypes that depict older workers as those who tire too easily, get sick often, or are just too rigid or slow for a fast paced workplace.
Not only is my boss an older person, but so too are most of the people I routinely work with. They’re all 50+ and many are in their 60s and 70s. I consider myself fortunate to work with such an interesting and inspiring group of people, which is why I’m always perplexed when I read about the difficulties older people face when looking for a new job or re-entering the workforce. I recently came across a press release from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that featured findings from a public hearing on developments (widespread layoffs, threats to benefits) under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Expert panelists testified about “conscious and unconscious aging stereotypes” that cause employers to undervalue the contributions older workers make to their organization. Moreover, because of these stereotypes, older workers are targeted disproportionately during workforce reductions. (http://www.eeoc.gov/press/7-15-09.html.).
I think hiring and HR managers have it all wrong. There’s a lot to be said for the experience that comes from lives lived. Like the following:
High powered connections – my boss can pick up the phone and reach government officials or executives at leading health care organizations;
Appreciation that time is an important commodity that should not be wasted in meaningless meetings;
Willingness to take risks because they can handle rejection and are past caring about what other people think (did you know over the past decade or so, the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity is among those 50+? Check out this report: http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/2009/entrepreneurship.pdf);
Ability to follow through on their word – older workers are incredibly dependable;
Perspective – will the world really come to an end if you miss a deadline?
So my advice to any hiring managers reading this blog is to think twice the next time a “seasoned” resume or older job applicant comes your way. Cast aside those ageist stereotypes and focus instead on the valuable skills and experience this person can bring to both your organization – and your life.
Laura Traynor is a project manager with The Transition Network, a growing non-profit organization for women 50+. Together with her boss, Charlotte Frank, she manages the Caring Collaborative, an innovative program of strategic assistance offered by friends and neighbors to help women effectively handle emerging health issues ( www.ttncaringcollaborative.org ).
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Dr. Tom Caprio, a geriatrician, talks about Palliative Care. Find out what Palliative Care is and what Palliative care isn’t. Questions and comments are encouraged, so don’t be shy. If there is something about Palliative Care you’d like to know about, leave a comment for Dr. Caprio.
Tom Caprio, MD is a practicing geriatrician. In this video, Dr. Caprio defines the role of the geriatrician and gives examples of how the geriatrician plays an important role in the health of a senior. You can find out more about Dr. Caprio by reading his bio on About Us.
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Tips for Caregivers: Knowing When your Loved One Needs Extra Help
BLOGGERS: ROBERT F. BORNSTEIN
MARY A. LANGUIRAND
Several years ago we wrote a book on nursing home care. Since the book came out we’ve given talks on various eldercare-related issues, and part of what we do is try to dispel myths about assisted living facilities and nursing homes–myths that prevent people from planning effectively for the future. One statement we’ve made at a number of talks seems to surprise people and stick in their minds:
No one has ever entered a nursing home because they have Alzheimer’s disease, or because they broke a hip or had a stroke. No one. Never happened, never will.
There’s only one reason anyone ever enters a nursing home: They can no longer carry out activities of daily living.
Activities of daily living–or ADLs–are those well-practiced everyday tasks we do automatically, reflexively, almost without thinking. Getting dressed, for example, or bathing on our own. These tasks seem simple, and for most of us they are. But illness or injury sometimes impairs our ability to carry out ADLs. Sometimes the problems are temporary, but in other cases they’re lasting. And that’s when extra help and care–sometimes nursing home care–is needed.
Eldercare professionals divide ADLs into two categories: basic and complex. Basic ADLs include things like using the bathroom without help, or dressing appropriately for the weather. Complex ADLs include things like shopping, cooking, and managing one’s medication. When a person loses the ability to carry out complex ADLs, most often they require assisted living or in-home care. When a person loses the ability to carry out basic ADLs, nursing home care is almost always required.
How can you tell when someone is showing enough functional decline to require in-home or out-of-home care? Five warning signs to look for:
Food problems These usually take two forms: improper food storage or improper preparation. If you arrive at your mother’s apartment and find milk stored in the kitchen cabinet, that’s a red flag, and cause for concern. Ditto if she serves you near-raw (or grossly blackened) hamburger (especially if she’s usually a good cook).
A decline in cleanliness Again, two forms–surroundings or self. Sometimes you’ll notice a decline in cleanliness of the home (for example, dustballs in the bedroom or a filthy bathroom floor). In other cases the problem may lie in the person’s hygiene–clothes unwashed (and more than a bit whiffy), or makeup sloppily applied.
Unpaid bills or unopened correspondence People who can no longer read or remember well enough to balance a checkbook may cope by simply ignoring their bills (or throwing them out), hoping the problem will go away. Needless to say, it doesn’t.
Confusion regarding day and date Everyone is off a day or two every once in a while, thinking it’s the 12th when it’s really the 11th. But when a person mistakes January for May, or asks if you’ve gotten your Thanksgiving turkey in July, it’s a troubling sign of disorientation, and an indication of cognitive decline.
Forgetting familiar objects Forgetting where you left your keys is no big deal–we all do that. Holding a key in your hand and not remembering what to do with it….that’s a much more serious problem, and a telltale sign of cognitive deterioration. Not necessarily Alzheimer’s disease (because a number of conditions can cause this symptom), but definitely something serious enough that you should take action.
Robert Bornstein and Mary Languirand are the authors of When Someone You Love Needs Nursing Home, Assisted Living, or In Home Care, published by Newmarket Press. Here’s the link: http://www.newmarketpress.com/title.asp?id=901
If you have questions or would like to know more about Caregiving, please leave a comment!
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