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Hiring Older Workers Makes Good Business Sense

By 2012, nearly 20% of the total U.S. workforce will be age 55 or older. The number of older Americans returning to work or remaining in the workforce is expected to increase significantly as the nearly 77 million baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) now begin to reach retirement age. This is partially because many older Americans are choosing to re-enter the workforce after they have retired, according to a 2003 survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). As more and more seniors are available for work, more employers are seeing the benefit in hiring them.

<div id="vertical_container"><h3 class="accordion_toggle"><a href="javascript:void(0);">12 Benefits of Hiring Older Workers</a></h3><div class="Where can businesses find a dependable, steady workforce that has no plans to move up and out? A workforce dedicated to the job at hand and that takes pride in its work? A workforce which will cost them less to hire, train, and maintain? The answer is older workers. Click here for the 12 reasons External link opens in a new windowwhy hiring older workers can help you maintain a reliable, dedicated workforce and provide a significant cost savings for both the short-and long-term.

In light of the declining proportion of younger workers and projected shortages, many employers will need to turn to mature, experienced workers in order to gain and maintain a competitive advantage. The AARP's study on " The Business Case for Workers Age 50+: Planning for Tomorrow's Talent Needs in Today's Competitive Environment" External link opens in a new window demonstrates that attracting and retaining mature experienced workers is a business imperative.

<h3 class="accordion_toggle"><a href="javascript:void(0);">AARP Workforce Assessment Tool</a></h3><div class="The AARP Workforce Assessment Tool assists employers in assessing and planning for their current and future workforce needs. The workforce assessment tool produces an individualized report that can serve as the business case for developing your aging workforce strategy. Click here to complete a free online assessment of your organization. External link opens in a new window "><p>Content</span></p></div></div>

<div id="vertical_container"><h3 class="accordion_toggle"><a href="javascript:void(0);">Planning originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Planning originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Planning originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Planning originalAttribute="href" originalPath=""javascript:void(0);">Planning" for Tomorrow’s Needs, What Businesses Should Know:</a></h3><div class="1. Companies face a potentially significant loss of experienced talent in key roles.
2. If today's 50+ workers remain in the workforce, companies may be able to escape the talent crunch.
3. Many U.S. workers expect to be working past retirement age.
4. Many new workers lack overall professionalism, written communication skills, analytical skills or business knowledge.
5. Older workers are more motivated to exceed on-the-job expectations.
6. The benefits of a stable workforce—avoiding turnover costs—can outweigh the incremental cost of benefits for 50+ workers.
7. Companies need to offer the right mix of rewards to retain and attract older workers.
8. Few companies are fully prepared for the changes to come in workforce demographics."><p>Content</span></p></div>
<h3 class="accordion_toggle"><a href="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalPath=""javascript:void(0);">Accordion" State and Federal Programs</a></h3><div class="In accordance with federal Older American's Act regulations, the Illinois Department on Aging External link opens in a new window has divided Illinois into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs). The 13 Planning and Service Areas in Illinois are each managed and served by an Area Agency on Aging. Click on the Illinois map link External link opens in a new window to see which Area Agency on Aging covers your community.

Illinois Act on the Aging External link opens in a new window
Older Americans Act of 2006 External link opens in a new window, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging"><p>Content</span></p></div></div>

<div id="vertical_container"><h3 class="accordion_toggle"><a href="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalAttribute="href" originalPath="javascript:void(0);">Accordion originalAttribute="href" originalPath=""javascript:void(0);">Internet Resources on Aging</a></h3><div class="• Aging of Special Populations External link opens in a new window
Aging Organizations and General Interest External link opens in a new window
Caregiving, Supportive Services, and Assistive Devices External link opens in a new window
Death and Dying External link opens in a new window
Employment, Finances, and Retirement External link opens in a new window
Government, Legislation, and Public Policy External link opens in a new window
Health and Well-Being External link opens in a new window
Housing and Long Term Care External link opens in a new window
Law and Legal Issues External link opens in a new window
Leisure, Learning, and Personal Growth External link opens in a new window
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security External link opens in a new window
Older Drivers and Transportation External link opens in a new window
Research and Reference External link opens in a new window
State and Local Resources External link opens in a new window"><p>Content</span></p> External Address (Url)
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Planning for Tomorrow’s Needs; What Businesses Should Know

In light of the declining proportion of younger workers and projected shortages, many employers will need to turn to mature, experienced workers in order to gain and maintain a competitive advantage. The AARP's study on " The Business Case for Workers Age 50+: Planning for Tomorrow's Talent Needs in Today's Competitive Environment" External link opens in a new window demonstrates that attracting and retaining mature experienced workers is a business imperative.

Key Findings:
1. Companies face a potentially significant loss of experienced talent in key roles.
2. If today's 50+ workers remain in the workforce, companies may be able to escape the talent crunch.
3. Many U.S. workers expect to be working past retirement age.
4. Many new workers lack overall professionalism, written communication skills, analytical skills or business knowledge.
5. Older workers are more motivated to exceed on-the-job expectations.
6. The benefits of a stable workforce—avoiding turnover costs—can outweigh the incremental cost of benefits for 50+ workers.
7. Companies need to offer the right mix of rewards to retain and attract older workers.
8. Few companies are fully prepared for the changes to come in workforce demographics.

AARP Workforce Assessment Tool
The AARP Workforce Assessment Tool assists employers in assessing and planning for their current and future workforce needs. The workforce assessment tool produces an individualized report that can serve as the business case for developing your aging workforce strategy. Click here to complete a free online assessment of your organization. External link opens in a new window 

State and Federal programs regarding hiring older workers can be found at:
In accordance with federal Older American's Act regulations, the
Illinois Department on Aging External link opens in a new window has divided Illinois into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs). The 13 Planning and Service Areas in Illinois are each managed and served by an Area Agency on Aging. Click on the Illinois map link External link opens in a new window to see which Area Agency on Aging covers your community.

Illinois Act on the Aging External link opens in a new window
Older Americans Act of 2006 External link opens in a new window, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging

Browse Internet Resources on Aging Main Topics
Aging of Special Populations External link opens in a new window
Aging Organizations and General Interest External link opens in a new window
Caregiving, Supportive Services, and Assistive Devices External link opens in a new window
Death and Dying External link opens in a new window
Employment, Finances, and Retirement External link opens in a new window
Government, Legislation, and Public Policy External link opens in a new window
Health and Well-Being External link opens in a new window
Housing and Long Term Care External link opens in a new window
Law and Legal Issues External link opens in a new window
Leisure, Learning, and Personal Growth External link opens in a new window
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security External link opens in a new window
Older Drivers and Transportation External link opens in a new window
Research and Reference External link opens in a new window
State and Local Resources External link opens in a new window

Other Resources

State and Federal programs regarding hiring older workers can be found at:
In accordance with federal Older American's Act regulations, the
Illinois Department on Aging External link opens in a new window has divided Illinois into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs). The 13 Planning and Service Areas in Illinois are each managed and served by an Area Agency on Aging. Click on the Illinois map link External link opens in a new window to see which Area Agency on Aging covers your community.

Illinois Act on the Aging External link opens in a new window
Older Americans Act of 2006 External link opens in a new window, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging

Browse Internet Resources on Aging Main Topics
Aging of Special Populations External link opens in a new window
Aging Organizations and General Interest External link opens in a new window
Caregiving, Supportive Services, and Assistive Devices External link opens in a new window
Death and Dying External link opens in a new window
Employment, Finances, and Retirement External link opens in a new window
Government, Legislation, and Public Policy External link opens in a new window
Health and Well-Being External link opens in a new window
Housing and Long Term Care External link opens in a new window
Law and Legal Issues External link opens in a new window
Leisure, Learning, and Personal Growth External link opens in a new window
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security External link opens in a new window
Older Drivers and Transportation External link opens in a new window
Research and Reference External link opens in a new window
State and Local Resources External link opens in a new window
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