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# 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.

**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 in the Aging Workforce**

**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://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://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, DC 20201

Direct: (202)619-0724

aoainfo@aoa.hhs.gov

http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov

Updated 3/26/10.

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job Accommodations for the Aging Workforce

Fact Sheet Series