ACE proposes shift in approach to aging workforce

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has introduced a new framework for understanding aging, advocating for a "pro-aging" approach rather than the "anti-aging" label. The organization posits that seven measurable drivers of healthy living can benefit not only individuals but also organizations in managing and promoting the well-being and retention of an aging workforce.

According to ACE CEO Cedric X. Bryant, the traditional framing of aging as something to be resisted is outdated. Instead, a "pro-aging" mindset focuses on how individuals and work communities can thrive as they age. This new resource, "Understanding Healthy Aging: A Pro-Aging Perspective," is primarily targeted at health and fitness professionals but its principles can also be applied to organizational leadership.

Typically, companies respond to an aging workforce passively through measures like ergonomic adjustments or early retirement packages, often viewed as cost containment. ACE suggests this "manage-the-decline" default overlooks the potential of experienced employees and opportunities for growth.

The organization's view is that the same seven factors contributing to healthy individual aging can help workplaces retain experienced staff while keeping younger generations engaged. Leaders should consider whether their organization is designed to support its aging workforce in a healthy and productive manner.

ACE's seven proposed "pro-aging" design levers offer concrete tools for organizations aiming to leverage the full potential of their workforce, regardless of its age composition.