Older Americans find a goal and well -being at work, despite health barriers

In recently published Scientists asked older Americans (people aged 50 and older) about their job perspectives, including them motivated by them, which stops them and how they feel, how work influenced their quality of life.

Their discoveries show that although health -related barriers can be stopped by elderly from work, those who continue working, especially those over 65 years old, mostly claim that this has a positive effect on their general physical and mental well -being.

Background

From the early 2000s of the 2000th century, an increase in the number of people who still work after 65 years.

In 2018, a survey conducted by Pew Research Center showed that 29% of the generation known as “Boomers” from 65 to 72 worked or worked or actively sought after a job, which exceeded the share in the labor market of previous generations of the same age.

Better health and the growing expected life expectancy allows people to continue their career in the past in the age considered normal to retire. Sometimes they work because they cannot afford to retire, but they can also have professional goals that still want to fulfill or enjoy social interactions that are related to their work.

Connections between health and work are complex. The work of an individual can negatively or positively affect their well -being. However, health fears can also become a barrier to work.

Because more older adults work than ever before, because they want or because they have to understand their motivations. Their prospects can conduct labor market and company policy.

About the study

The research team managed surveys on the phone and online in the years 2024–3486 randomly selected American adults between 50 and 95. Groups such as Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans, Latin and non-Latin black people were tried to reduce bias and sampling and ensuring sampling and ensuring prejudices and sampling. that the discoveries represented the American population. 36% of people invited to participate completed the survey.

Respondents were asked to describe the employment status; If they worked, they informed whether they were self -employed or were paid, and if they did not work, they noticed if they were disabled, they withdrew, actively looking for a job, or were temporarily released.

They informed whether they worked in the last five years and described whether their positions were hybrid, fully distant or based on the office.

The questionnaire asked them if their work influenced their general well -being, physical health and mental or emotional health in a very positive, slightly positive, somewhat negative or very negative way.

Respondents talked about their ability to maintain a healthy balance between professional and private life and bear free if necessary or on vacation, why their work was important to them and the level of satisfaction with work. They were also asked to describe the barriers and challenges they encountered, which stopped them from working.

Arrangements

It is estimated that 42% of Americans 50 and more work, including 18% above 65. Among the working people, only 17% are self -employed, and almost 70% are fully based on the office.

People with household income in the amount of USD 60,000 or more, and people with higher students were more often hybrid or fully remote working arrangements.

Two -thirds of working adults at the age of 50 and above stated that their work had a positive impact on their physical health, 71% stated that it was beneficial to their mental health, and 78% stated that they improved their overall well -being; 71% noticed that they kept them physically active.

About 92% stated that they were able to take free for health -related visits, especially people with good or better mental health.

Financial stability, retirement savings, health insurance, support for family members and maximizing their social security benefits were the five most important reasons for work, say older Americans. However, 46% also stated that their work gave them a goal in life, and 26% worked because they wanted to contribute to society.

Many noticed that the work kept their brain sharply and helped them maintain social connections, remain focused and acquire new skills. About 88% were satisfied with work, and 78% -90% believed that their employers, superiors and colleagues valued them.

However, almost 30% stated that it is not able to work because of poor health, chronic illness and disability; Others were difficult by the lack of skills, limited transport, care obligations or legal problems.

A significant number of people believed that they were unused or insufficiently rewarded at work; Almost one in five reported inappropriate health insurance. For 13%, the physical requirements of their work were too high, and 11% reported discrimination due to age.

Conclusions

With the increase in employees of people aged 50 and more, employers can play an important role by supporting their needs.

Programs and rules, such as flexible work options and skills training, can help older adults at work as long as they want (or need).