The aging workforce

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources
• Gerontology

Background:

• Intensifying hospital staffing shortages necessitate innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
• The aging workforce presents both challenges and opportunities for healthcare organizations.
• Older workers are a valuable, yet often underutilized, resource in the healthcare sector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify effective strategies for attracting and retaining older workers in hospital settings.
• To provide practical examples of how leading health systems implement these retention strategies.
• To address the critical issue of healthcare workforce shortages by leveraging experienced personnel.

Main Methods:

• Review of 10 expert-recommended strategies for recruiting and retaining older healthcare workers.
• Case study analysis of four leading health systems detailing their implementation approaches.
• Qualitative examination of successful workforce retention programs.

Main Results:

• Identification of 10 key strategies applicable to healthcare settings.
• Detailed insights into the practical application of these strategies by major health systems.
• Evidence supporting the efficacy of targeted approaches for older worker retention.

Conclusions:

• Implementing specific strategies can significantly improve the recruitment and retention of older workers in hospitals.
• Healthcare systems can successfully integrate older workers by adapting workplace policies and culture.
• Addressing the needs of older employees is crucial for mitigating staffing shortages and ensuring operational continuity.