Ergonomics and Aging - Fundamentals and Assessment Tools for Occupational Ergonomics - page 403

TABLE 17.2 Labor Force Participation Rates for Older Adults
(ages 55 to 64) in 2001
Country Percent

Sweden 70.4

Norway 68.5

Japan 65.8

New Zealand 62.9

United States 60.2

Korea 59.2

Denmark 58.9

United Kingdom 54

Portugal 52

Australia 48.6

Ireland 47.9

Spain 41.9

Germany 41.5

Netherlands 39.9

France 38.8

Austria 29

Italy 19.4

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2001). With permission.

age for most occupations, have contributed substantially to the growing older adult workforce in
the U.S. In contrast, under current Italian law individuals, who have worked for 35 years can retire
at 57. Hence, the age at which individuals are eligible for benefits varies from country to country,
which may contribute to a certain extent to differences in older adult worker participation rates
(Table 17.2).
Whereas some people work out of financial necessity, others work because they enjoy their jobs
(AARP, 2002). Even people who have retired from their careers may return to work because they
desire to be productive. That is, they may enjoy the satisfaction they get from accomplishing tasks.
Atchley (1976) noted several stages of adjustment to retirement, two of which are often accompanied
by feelings that may be related to an individual's desire to return to work. For example, a “honeymoon
stage” often occurs immediately following retirement, which involves feeling excited to be retired
but also feeling a sense of loss about leaving a job. During the “reorientation stage” an individual
re-evaluates their decision to retire after which some individuals may decide to return to work. In
addition, for financial need and work enjoyment, AARP's (2002) Work and Career Study found
that older adults are motivated to work past typical retirement age to have something interesting to
do and to stay physically active.
In sum, the demographic characteristics of older adult workers are quite diverse. Moreover, there are a
number of factors that have contributed to the growing older adult workforce. Given that many older
adults need and or desire to remain in the workplace, their demographic is important to those concerned

with occupational ergonomics. Aging is associated with a variety of changes in abilities that may affect the
older adult worker, including sensation and perception, cognition, and motor control. To ensure the
safety and effectiveness of older workers, it is essential to understand these changes and the impact
they may have on older adult workers.

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17.1 Sensation and Perception

Several sensory and perceptual changes occur with age. Given that most occupations involve tasks that
rely on visual and auditory performances to a certain extent, these changes could have significant effects