Accommodation Fact Sheet Job Accommodations for the Aging Workforce Information from the Job Accommodation Network, a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor This publication is funded under a contract supported by the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, contract #J-9-M-2-0022. The opinions contained in this publication are those of the contractor and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN'S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES JOB ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE AGING WORKFORCE Today, more than 33 million Americans are over age 65, and that number is expected to double over the next 30 years as baby boomers age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). With the aging of the baby-boom generation, the average age for workers will increase, and the likelihood that more employees will be managing a disability rises. Many individuals will continue to work at full production with no accommodations. However, aging may contribute to limitations that can easily and cheaply be accommodated. Age-related limitations can involve a wide range of conditions, including depression and anxiety, and other cognitive, sensory, and physical limitations. Individuals may need accommodations related to the psychological aspects of aging, mobility, fatigue, cognitive limitations, and vision and hearing impairments. The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful. To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly at 800- 526-7234 (V/TTY) or jan@jan.wvu.edu. Psychological Aspects of Aging (Depression and Anxiety) * Develop communication strategies between supervisors and employees to deal with situational anxiety * Allow flexible scheduling for counseling * Provide information on employee assistance programs * Allow time off for medical treatment * Provide clear instructions on how to ask for accommodations Mobility * Modify the work-site with curb cuts, wider routes of travel, accessible restrooms, and power doors * Provide parking close to the work-site * Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms * Provide mobility aids such as scooters * Allow work from home during inclement weather Fatigue/Weakness * Reduce or eliminate physical exertion * Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation * Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time * Allow work from home Cognitive Impairment * Provide written job instructions * Prioritize job assignments * Allow flexible work hours and periodic rest breaks to reorient * Provide memory aids, such as schedulers or organizers * Minimize distractions * Allow a self-paced workload Vision Impairment * Magnify written material using hand/stand/optical magnifiers * Provide large print material or screen reading software * Reduce glare by adding a glare screen and blinds * Install proper office lighting * Allow frequent rest breaks Hearing Impairment * Provide amplification for meetings, telephone use, and communication in noisy environments * Use e-mail, instant messaging, and text messaging when appropriate * Provide visual indicators for alarms and emergency situations * Reduce background noise * Use TTYs, assistive listening devices, and interpreters when needed * Provide clear paths of travel in busy environments Resources Specifically For People with Aging Issues (This is a non-inclusive list) Job Accommodation Network West Virginia University PO Box 6080 Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 Toll Free: (800)526-7234 TTY: (800)526-7234 Fax: (304)293-5407 jan@jan.wvu.edu http://www.jan.wvu.edu Office of Disability Employment Policy 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-1303 Washington, DC 20210 Direct: (202)693-7880 TTY: (202)693-7881 Fax: (202)693-7888 infoODEP@dol.gov http://www.dol.gov/odep/welcome.html AARP 601 E Street, NW, Suite A1-200 Washington, DC 20049 Direct: (202)434-7700 Fax: (202)434-7710 dcaarp@aarp.org http://www.aarp.org Alliance for Aging Research 2021 K Street, NW Suite 305 Washington,, DC 20006 Direct: (202)293-2856 Fax: (202)785-8574 info@agingresearch.org http://http://www.agingresearch.org/ American Society on Aging 833 Market Street Suite 511 San Francisco,, CA 94103 Toll Free: (800)537-9728 Direct: (415)974-9600 Fax: (415)974-0300 info@asaging.org. http://http://www.asaging.org National Council on Aging 300 D Street, SW Suite 801 Washington, DC 20024 Direct: (202)479-1200 TTY: (202)479-6674 Fax: (202)479-0735 info@ncoa.org http://www.ncoa.org U.S. Administration on Aging One Massachusetts Ave. Suites 4100 & 5100 Washington, 20201 Direct: (202)619-0724 http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov Job Accommodations for People the Aging Workforce JAN is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor