Age, Work, and Disability: Rehabilitation at the End of the Worklife

Abstract

Older workers engaging in vocational rehabilitation services have received little attention in the vocational rehabilitation literature. However, older workers are the fastest growing sector of the United States labor market and they are predicted to become a greater proportion of vocational rehabilitation caseloads as they remain in the worliforce longer, or increasingly enter or re-enter the labor market. Research indicates that as people age, the probability of acquiring a disability increases dramatically. Regardless of when or how someone acquired a disability, understanding the elements particular to the rehabilitation counseling of older workers with disabilities is important. This paper explores the various demographics, issues, trends, and elements rehabilitation counselors could consider in working with older Americans with disabilities. Rehabilitation counselors need to become aware of these issues with older workers and retool in order to service this sector of the population more efficiently. Implications for the rehabilitation counseling practitioner and service delivery options are also presented.