Risk for Occupational Injury
The risk of occupational injury for older workers with disabilities are higher that the general public. Older workers with hearing or sight impairments are 1.6 and 1.53 percent respectively more likely to have an occupational injury (Zwerling, et al., 1998, p. 1691). More physically demanding jobs have and increased risk 2-3 times the rate of less demanding jobs (Zwerling, et al., 1998, p. 1693). The perception of this increased risk is one of the factors employers site as a concern of the aging workforce.
Financial Considerations
Older workers have numerous factors to weigh when deciding to continue working. Older workers receiving SSDI will need to decide if/when a change to SS early retirement will make …show more content…
Helping consumers plan for retirement
Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
Prior to 1973, adults over 65 were excluded from participation in state/federal vocational rehabilitation services (Wadsworth, 2004) so the issues of rehabilitating older workers are still being identified. Vocational Rehabilitation counselors will likely continue to see applicant age increase in the future. Some of the potential practice changes vocational rehabilitation counselors are likely to see include an increased role in helping older consumers maintain employment, as older workers are more likely than younger workers to request assistance maintaining employment. Wadsworth et al (2008) found that the greatest predictor of increased earnings post VR services for this age group was their earnings at time of application, indicating that VR counselors may be most effective in helping applicants maintain employment (p. 113). Wadsworth and Kampfe (2004) found that 43% of the over 65 applicants were rehabilitated with an employment outcome (p. 107), indicating the value of vocational rehabilitation with this population. Because older workers are more likely to look for work outside of their previous careers, it will be important to
The risk of occupational injury for older workers with disabilities are higher that the general public. Older workers with hearing or sight impairments are 1.6 and 1.53 percent respectively more likely to have an occupational injury (Zwerling, et al., 1998, p. 1691). More physically demanding jobs have and increased risk 2-3 times the rate of less demanding jobs (Zwerling, et al., 1998, p. 1693). The perception of this increased risk is one of the factors employers site as a concern of the aging workforce.
Financial Considerations
Older workers have numerous factors to weigh when deciding to continue working. Older workers receiving SSDI will need to decide if/when a change to SS early retirement will make …show more content…
Helping consumers plan for retirement
Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
Prior to 1973, adults over 65 were excluded from participation in state/federal vocational rehabilitation services (Wadsworth, 2004) so the issues of rehabilitating older workers are still being identified. Vocational Rehabilitation counselors will likely continue to see applicant age increase in the future. Some of the potential practice changes vocational rehabilitation counselors are likely to see include an increased role in helping older consumers maintain employment, as older workers are more likely than younger workers to request assistance maintaining employment. Wadsworth et al (2008) found that the greatest predictor of increased earnings post VR services for this age group was their earnings at time of application, indicating that VR counselors may be most effective in helping applicants maintain employment (p. 113). Wadsworth and Kampfe (2004) found that 43% of the over 65 applicants were rehabilitated with an employment outcome (p. 107), indicating the value of vocational rehabilitation with this population. Because older workers are more likely to look for work outside of their previous careers, it will be important to