Older Workers

Older Workers in Today's Job Market

Older Workers who may have been overlooked in the job market in the past are now finding themselves to be a hot product in today’s economy. Older workers are now a significant resource in the labor force. Employers who do not make this discovery will continue to struggle to find the skilled workers needed to compete effectively in this strong economy.

Between the years of 2000 and 2010, the age group experiencing the greatest growth will be those ages 55-64. It has been projected that 20% of the workforce will be ages 55 and older by the year 2005. ("Implications of an Aging Labor Force for Human Development Resource Development Policy," by G.M. Barber, R.T. Crouch, and S.L. Merker).

In a report "Valuing Older Workers" by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 1995, managers described older workers as having had more experience, better judgment, a stronger commitment to quality, more reliable attendance and punctuality, and a lower turnover rate.

Unemployment rates at the lowest levels in the last 30 years have created a greater demand for reliable workers to fill jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor figures show that the current unemployment rate for over-55 workers is substantially less than that for the U.S. work force in general. This would seem to signal there is already a growing reliance on older workers.

Given the opportunity, the older worker offers many skills that can reduce your training cost and increase profits. Employers need to think about retention of older employees. Retaining an older worker will save on recruitment and training of hiring a new employee.

Supportive Agencies and Organizations for the
Older Worker

There are many organizations available to assist older workers re-enter the work force, upgrade their skills and find suitable employment. In Henderson County Audubon Area Community Services Inc.(AACS), is one of the organizations that provides information and services to the older worker.  
The Curious Journal is the monthly publication of the Audubon Area Community Services.  AACS operates the senior centers (which also serve as congregate meal sites) in Hancock and Webster counties and is responsible for meals delivery under the Nutrition Program for the Elderly.

 National Senior Service Corps and Other Senior Programs
 Green River Intra-county Transit System

Senior Community Service Employment Programs for Seniors (SCSEP)

The Older Americans Act funds the Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP). This program enables low-income seniors, 55 years of age or older to re-enter the labor force.  Participants are allowed to work an average of 20 hours per week.  For further information call Kathy Shah at (270)683-4583.

In Kentucky the program is administered by the Kentucky Office of Aging Services, Cabinet for Families and Children located at 275 East Main Street, Health Services Bldg, Room G-19, Frankfort KY 40621.
 
Telephone: 502-564-0615
Fax:  502-564-8156
Email:  PATPOPP@mail.state.ky.us

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

AARP promotes and supports advocacy, education, and community service activities in states and communities. AARP works in both private and public sectors to improve the quality of life for all Americans as they grow older. AARP Foundation administers programs that assist older Americans. These programs, funded by grants or cooperative agreements with governments or private organizations, provide a wide variety of services including job training, tax assistance, assistance with important lawsuits being decided by the courts, and much more. You may call the toll-free number 1-800-424-3410 for more information about AARP services. 

Green Thumb

Green Thumb, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization, is one of America's leaders in older worker training, employment, and community service. The goal of  Green Thumb is to provide participants with the training, experience, 
supportive services, and information they need to improve their lives, gain
self-sufficiency, realize their goals, and obtain permanent employment. While
meeting their personal objectives, participants also provide valued services to their community by performing tasks that would not be fulfilled if not for their participation through the program.  

For more information you can call the Regional Support Center at
1-800-482-4982.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

ADEA was enacted in 1967 by Congress to protect older workers between ages 40 and over from age discrimination in the workplace.  ADEA also protects older workers from discrimination in recruitment, training, promotion, pay, benefits, layoffs, retirement and other employment practices.  ADEA makes it illegal for employers with 20 or more employees to fire or to refuse to hire an older worker based solely on age.  However, age can be considered in hiring or retaining workers if age is reasonably related to the worker's ability to perform a specific job. For more information go to: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/29/ch14.html#PC14 

The Kentucky Civil Rights Act also protects older workers from employment discrimination. The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can investigate complaints of age discrimination.  

The Older Americans Act Title III

Title III of the Older Americans Act was enacted by the federal government to provide various services to seniors 60 and older.  Services provided include meals, transportation, counseling, information and referral to other agencies, outreach, etc.  The Office of Aging Services in the Cabinet for Health Services, (502-564-6930), is the government agency responsible for administering the federally funded programs under Title III of the Older Americans Act. The Area Agency on Aging serving the Henderson Area is GRADD's Department for the Aging (270) 926-4433, ask for Jennifer Williams.

Legal Helpline for Older Kentuckians

The Legal HelpLine for Older Kentuckians is sponsored by the Access to Justice Foundation (AJF) and the Association of Older Kentuckians (A-OK). 

Legal HelpLine for Older Kentuckians/Access to Justice Foundation
400 Old Vine Street
Suite 203
Lexington, KY 40507
1-800-200-3633 (Toll-Free)
859-233-4747 (voice)
859-231-5356 (fax)
dgodfrey@accesstojustice.org (email)

Access to Justice Foundation

The Access to Justice Foundation has established a toll free number at
(1-800-200-3633) to answer legal questions for senior citizens.  Attorneys will answer legal questions and provide short-term legal services to Kentuckians sixty years of age and older.  You may call Monday through Friday from 
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

117 West 2nd St.
Owensboro, Kentucky  42301
Telephone: (270) 683-4585
Fax: (270) 683-3513
Toll-free: 800-467-2260 (clients only please)
Counties served: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Ohio

State Health Insurance
Advisory Program (SHIP)

The State Health Insurance Advisory Program (SHIP) is a federally funded, state-administered program that helps seniors and disabled Medicare recipients understand their rights and options for health care. The SHIP program conducts one-one-one counseling to assist seniors determine which benefits they may be eligible to receive.  SHIP counselors can provide current information about benefits; help you understand health insurance options, make recommendations about how to secure benefits or appeal denials of benefits.  SHIP can help with Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Medicaid, as well as other legal and benefits problems.  

The Kentucky SHIP statewide toll free number is 1-877-293-7447, 
888-642-1137 (TTY).  In the Henderson and Green River Area which includes Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster call 800-928-9093 or 270-926-4433.

Department for Medicaid Services
275 East Main Street, MS6W-A
Frankfort, KY 40621-7130
Telephone: (502) 564-6890
Fax: (502) 564-0509

You can also find out more insurance related information at the Kentucky Department of Insurance web site.

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)

You can access an on-line publication of the Medicare Handbook to obtain additional information regarding the Medicare health insurance program.

Volunteer Programs for Seniors

If you have an interest in using your talents, skills and experience to volunteer in your community, contact the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service at 502-564-7420 for more information. The Commission is located at 275 E. Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621. 

Aging, Education and Older Students

The University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and some other state universities offer students 65 years of age and older, tuition free enrollment.  If you are not sure if a college offers this program, call the college to inquire of their programs targeting the older student.  

Listed below are Aging Centers and Programs in these colleges and universities:

Committees on Aging

The Senate and House of Representatives both have committees dealing with issues of interest to seniors: