Alzheimer's in the Workplace: A Challenge for Social Work

Abstract

It is estimated that 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (ADRD) with approximately 500,000 of these persons younger than 65. Moreover, the number of people affected by the disease will increase 350% by the middle of this century. Although research exists on organizational policies with regard to caregivers, very little is known about how organizations deal with employees themselves who show symptoms of ADRD. This article reports on a pilot study of employers' responses to dementia as it impacts both caregiving employees and employees who themselves show signs of cognitive impairment.

What is the impact of dementia on occupational competence, occupational participation and occupational identity for people who experience onset of symptoms while in paid employment? A scoping review

“…Opportunity to make informed choices about remaining at work and retiring promotes a sense of control and positively effects self‐esteem (Kielhofner, ). Therefore, it is important for employers and workers to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding legislated workforce participation options before jobs are relinquished (Atkinson & Sandiford; Cox & Pardasani, ; Ritchie et al .; Roach et al .).…”

“…Employers who enlist the support of suitably qualified experts to implement reasonable workplace adjustments are able to manage occupational risk and accommodate worker preferences for extending workforce participation (Brown et al ., ; Chaplin & Davidson, ; Ritchie et al ., ). Workplaces that implement strategies to support occupational participation choices, regardless of the individual's age, enable respectful transitions from paid employment that support workers who are needing to redefine their occupational identity (Cox & Pardasani, ; McCulloch et al ., ; Öhman et al ., ; Ritchie et al .).…”

“…The impact of dementia on workforce participation is therefore likely to increase. Consequently, addressing this impact is becoming an important area of study (Cox & Pardasani, ; Harris & Keady, ; McCulloch et al ., ; Ritchie et al .).…”

A Beginning and not the End: Work After a Diagnosis of Dementia

“…There is resistance to making reasonable adjustments to work practices with a tendency to retire people with dementia early when they would prefer to (and are able to) continue to work, or to performance manage them out of the organization (Cox and Pardasani, 2013). There are problems associated with redeployment (Öhman et al 2001), and with a lack of organizational policy to guide practice (Cox and Pardasani, 2013). Many people living with dementia articulate a desire to continue to make a positive contribution at work (Öhman et al 2001), and there is evidence that feelings of self-worth can be maintained through so doing (Mason, 2008).…”

Aging and Human Rights: a Rights-Based Approach to Social Work with Older Adults

“…Employers tend to make little accommodation for these employees even though they could often continue to work in varying capacities (Alzheimer's Association 2011). Instead, they are frequently let go at the beginning stages of impairment with employers often unsure of how to counsel them or discuss their symptoms (Cox and Pardasani 2013).…”