Australia: Targeting Older Workers to Help Aged Care Industry

According to an article in Aged Care INsite, internal research conducted by Bupa Care Services suggests that aged care providers should be targeting older workers in their communities in order to address their staff shortages. As reported by Darragh O Keeffe, "[w]hen Bupa analysed its internal data on staff turnover, length of service, sickness, workers compensation and take up of company reward programs, it was its older workers who stood out."

Staff members aged 60 and over comprise 10 per cent of Bupa’s workforce, but they represent just 3 per cent of the total claims for worker’s compensation. They take less sick leave than other age groups and they are over-represented when it comes to the company’s staff recognition program.

Bupa also found that We found the average length of service for a 60- to 69-year-olds was over nine years, compared to 3.7 years for a 40- to 49-year-olds.

Sources: "Grey army to the rescue" Aged Care INsite (February-March 2012); Bupa Aged Care Media Release (February 6, 2012)