Senior News September, 2003 Vol. 24. No. 7

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Two chances to attend open houses this fall

Wine, cheese and older workers get better with age

New directory lists senior and caregiver resources

Mary Dennison works on many levels for seniors

Del Norte writers honor heroes

New nonprofit forming to focus on Fortuna senior needs

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Older Workers Week
Wine, cheese and older workers get better with age
by Ginger Campbell

The answer on Jeopardy would be "What gets better with age?" And host Alex Trebeck (being an older worker himself) would smile.
    As we celebrate the national "Employ the Older Worker Week" during the third week in September, we can rest assured that the trend to hire older workers is at last sweeping the nation. Some say that employers are having little choice but to hire people older than 55, because the sheer numbers of Baby Boomers are becoming the bulk of the labor force. Not true! In this economy, employers have had to make the best decisions to keep their business up and running and to provide total customer satisfaction. The older worker is the perfect choice to facilitate those goals.
    Humboldt and Del Norte employers have been the trendsetters for many years in this field. For the 27th year in a row, this site of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (AARP) was number one in California and number seven in the nation - out of 94 project sites - for placing our participants in permanent jobs. Another successful grant year has begun, and since July 1, 21 participants of 55 have found permanent jobs.
    Hats are off to the many enthusiastic employers who continue to seek those valued employees who are 55 and older, to the helpful nonprofit agencies that are willing to provide temporary positions to the participants until they find permanent jobs, and certainly to the hard working AARP/SCSEP staff - all of whom are older than 55 - who provide the job search counseling and services to those seeking permanent jobs.
    Anyone 55 and older who is on a limited income and seeking work can call AARP/SCSEP Monday through Friday, 9-4, at 822-7027 for an appointment.
Employers who know that wine, cheese and older workers improve with age are encouraged to call as well!
    Ginger Campbell is director of the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program. Her e-mail is SCGCAMPBEL@aol.com.