Workforce » Technology
Why It's Important
Baby Boomers comprise a disproportionate share of the labor force relative to their
incidence in the population. Their impending retirement could provoke a huge drain
of both resources and knowledge for many companies. A lack of preparation for knowledge
transfer to younger workers could be catastrophic for companies, organizations and
governments. Technology provides many opportunities and solutions to both retaining
knowledge and helping older workers remain productive.
See Data By: Richmond MSA | Virginia
| National
How Richmond Is Doing
- Nearly two in five employers (37%) are currently employing centralized data storage.
Centralized data storage can aid employers and employees in knowledge transfer from
older to younger workers. (ODP EMPLOYER 2008)
- Employers are taking steps currently to address the impending retirement of a large
number of workers.

(ODP BUSINESS LEADER, 2008)
How Virginia Is Doing
- Nearly two in five employers (37%) are currently employing centralized data storage.
Centralized data storage can aid employers and employees in knowledge transfer from
older to younger workers (ODP BUSINESS LEADER, 2008)

(ODP BUSINESS LEADER, 2008)
How the U.S. Is Doing
According to an AAHSA article on The State of Technology in Aging Services,
older adults currently account for 60 percent of overall healthcare spending in
the U.S. In order to manage the costs of caring for older adults, three-quarters
of who suffer from one or more chronic diseases, there is an urgent need for innovative
technology-based tools to help manage their health and wellness, to enable them
to live independently and maximize caregivers' efficacy by providing timely health
information and delivering more effective care.
Older adults currently account for 60 percent of overall healthcare spending in
the U.S. Appropriate management of chronic disease in older adults can significantly
reduce the U.S. health care bill. Furthermore, 92 percent of these older adults
live alone in their own apartments, homes, independent living facilities or assisted
living facilities, including about 50 percent of those 75 and older. Such statistics
clearly demonstrate an urgent need for innovative technology-based tools that enable
older adults to live independently and maximize caregivers' efficacy by providing
timely health information and delivering more effective care.
In addition, the U.S. government, through the Office of the National Health IT Coordinator,
is leading the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health
information technology infrastructure to improve the quality, safety and efficiency
of health care and the ability of consumers to manage their health information and
health care. Several new partnerships have formed, such as Continua Health Alliance,
which is comprised of technology, medical device and health care industry leaders
dedicated to advancing telehealth solutions that empower people and organizations
to better manage health and wellness. These developments have facilitated proliferation
of technology products and prototypes. (AAHSA, 2009)
Data & Information Sources
Alliance for Aging Research
http://www.agingresearch.org/
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, 2009
http://www.aahsa.org/article.aspx?id=6426#5
Center for Aging Technologies
http://www.agingtech.org/index.aspx
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics
http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/main_site/default.aspx
ODP, Residents’ Study & Business Leaders’ Study
http://www.olderdominion.org/documents/ODP_Exec_Sum_03_26-08.pdf
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/
Virginia Workforce Connection
http://www.vawc.virginia.gov/analyzer/default.asp