Aging workers

As fertility rates fall and life expectancy climbs, the average age of Canada’s population continues to rise. This has widespread implications for social policies and the world of work. IWH research explores these implications, such as the effects of aging on work ability, injury rates, injury and disease prevention, productivity, accommodation and return to work. It also looks at the workplace and social programs that will allow aging workers to remain at work in a healthy and productive way until they transition into retirement.

Featured

An older female worker ponders decision while sitting in waiting room
At Work article

Older workers not prone to ask for employer support, citing ageism and other issues

Many older workers are in no hurry to retire, but they may have support needs they're reluctant to divulge. An IWH team explores the reasons and suggests ways workplaces can provide support despite the absence of disclosure.
Published: November 7, 2022
Journal article
Journal article
A tired worker holds her head in her hands as she sits at her desk in a dark office
At Work article

Boomers with and without chronic conditions have similar needs for workplace supports

Yes, older workers with diabetes or arthritis experience fatigue and pain. But they're not that different from healthy peers in how much they need, or use, workplace accommodations, an IWH study has found.
Published: February 2019
Journal article
Male worker removing carpet
Impact case study

IWH review findings add consistency to osteoarthritis-related advice offered by WorkSafeBC medical advisors

The findings of an Institute for Work & Health systematic review on the association between osteoarthritis and work are being used by WorkSafeBC's medical advisors, contributing to more consistency in claims adjudication.
Published: January 2019
Journal article
Journal article

The associations between falls, fall injuries, and labor market outcomes among U.S. workers 65 years and older

Published: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, October 2018
An older woman works in a workshop
At Work article

Sex/gender analysis: Men and women with arthritis have same needs at work, but not the same supports

Study of workers with arthritis finds the need for workplace supports goes unmet more often among women, and that's due to the type of jobs and workplaces women are in.
Published: August 2018
Journal article