Introduction
Over the next few decades, the US population will see unprecedented growth among people aged 65 and older. The aging of the Baby Boom population (the cohort born between 1946 and 1964), relatively low fertility since the 1970s, and improvements in life expectancy drive population aging. Because of population aging, the US workforce has undergone significant age-related changes. By 2020, the US will witness a decrease in the relative proportion of labor force participation among young people and prime-age workers, and a significant increase in older workers (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). By 2020, one in four workers is estimated to be age 55 and older, with the largest increase in labor force participation among the oldest (Hayutine, Beals, and Borges, 2013).
As federal entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are cut back and restructured, and access to pensions continues to decline, older adults increasingly rely on savings and assets to cover daily expenses for food, rent, and out-of-pocket health care costs. For these older adults, working will become necessary. An older adult’s income has traditionally been viewed as consisting of three streams: Social Security, Pensions, and Assets/Savings, often called the three-legged income stool in retirement, where each leg represents roughly a third of an older adult’s income. However, increases in the Social Security eligibility age, reductions and delayed cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits, a sluggish economy, and sharp economic downturns have eroded these three income legs for older adults. Therefore, many older adults will increasingly rely on employment as a fourth income leg as they age.
Conclusion
Improving employment opportunities for older adults will remain important as the US age structure shifts and entitlement programs continue to be cut and restructured. Policies that offer retraining, training and counseling for older workers such as the Workforce Investment Act and the Senior Community Service Program (Title V under the Older Americans Act) will be critical in providing access to employment for those age 60+. However, programs only work if people know about them. Data from the PALA survey shows that nearly three-fourths of the population are unaware of job opportunities for older adults, programs that provide training for older adults, or jobs adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Therefore, outreach and education campaigns that bring awareness of the employment and training opportunities available for older adults are imperative.
Recommendation
Maintain Robust Community Engagement
The County and City established the Action Planning Workgroup, comprised of community leaders and experts selected by the Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles City Council, and AARP, to provide input and guidance in developing the PALA Initiative. The County and City will continue to engage this Working Group and utilize other strategies to involve communities and stakeholders across the Los Angeles Region during implementation of the PALA Initiative.
Develop Coordinated County and City Strategies to Connect Older Adults to Meaningful, Practical Employment Opportunities
As older adults live longer and healthier lives, many work well into their sixties and even seventies. Approximately 20 percent of adults ages 65 and older work at least part-time, a higher percentage than at any time in the past fifty years. Older workers often bring experience, dedication, attention to detail, confidence, and reliability. The County and City should adopt policies and programs that maximize opportunities to hire older adults, including low-income older adults served by the County’s network of America’s Job Centers of California. Mentorship and coaching may be needed to help some older adults adjust to a new work environment or a different type of job.
Expand Opportunities and Resources for Older Adult Volunteers
As individuals remain active and healthy for longer, volunteerism becomes an increasing opportunity to engage older adults and improve their well-being as they age. While a wide range of volunteer opportunities are available throughout the County and City for older adults, these efforts are spread out, and there is currently no single place where older adults can find volunteer opportunities based on their availability, interests, place of residence, etc.
Many older adults want to volunteer, but they don’t know where to go or how to get involved. These recommendations aim to establish additional resources that connect volunteers with opportunities in County and City Departments, as well as in the community. Recognizing the need to partner with private entities that engage volunteers, the City and County will collaborate with AARP and other organizations to reach out to older adults. In addition, currently there are more than 4,000 referrals of suspected elder and dependent adult abuse each month and many more that go unreported. With the older adult population on pace to double in the Los Angeles region between 2010 and 2030, there is significant potential for elder and dependent adult abuse to increase in our communities. WDACS will work with DCBA and City and County Departments to expand efforts to educate the community on how to prevent and report abuse and scams targeting older adults and dependent adults.
Read and download the Purposeful Aging LA Age-Friendly Action Plan to learn more about recommendations to enhance age-friendliness for all older adults and multigenerational residents of the Los Angeles region.