Assisting the long-term unemployed: A community health based approach to returning disabled adults to the workforce

Research shows older workers to be differentially impacted by the current economy in such a way that those seeking work are more likely to remain in the ranks of the unemployed for longer periods of time than workers in younger age groups. Further, this issue can be more complicated for older workers who have been injured/disabled and still desire to return to the workforce. This presentation will describe comparative data collected on participants in the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Return to Work Program with a focus on outcomes for those workers over the age of 50. Descriptive program data shows that approximately 26% of persons who have participated in the Return to Work Program during the last decade are age 50 years or older. This contrasts sharply with similar statistics from the 1990s which showed those over 50 to represent only 16% of clients. Current older workers remain off-work for an average of 12.7 months, approximately 9.6% longer (34 days) than those under 50 years of age. Older workers participating in the program are more likely to use computer literacy services, physical therapy services for de-conditioning and weight management, and request knowledge/skills training in alternative methods for previously learned task. Summary data on worker placement also will be presented. The Return to Work Program is an effective community resource providing work skills, work hardening and work conditioning for older adults seeking to return to the work force after unemployment due to illness, injury or disability.