New Ideas Conference Program

April 3rd 9.00am Welcome MC – Glenn Ridge the dependence ratios show how successful the public policies have been. Age Management covers all three levels - indi- 9.10am Open viduals, enterprises and society. A new, interactive way to Steve Standen, Chairperson, Self Insurers of SA co-operate between and within the levels are urgently needed. 9.15am Overview of South Australia The experiences and results of Finnish concepts and national – The Ageing Population programmes will be introduced. Member of Parliament (subject to election outcome) 9.35am Keynote Address: 10.20am Morning Tea 10.50am Age Management: The Challenge for New ideas Individual, Enterprise and Society Work Ability and Ageing in Australia Professor Dr. Juhani Ilmarinen, Finnish Institute of Louise Rolland, Professor of Ageing and Work and CEO of for an age old problem Occupational Health Business Work and Ageing managing the ageing workforce The demographic change of population and workforce sets The shifting demographic of the populations of developed new challenges for all levels of our societies. Individuals over countries is increasing the average age of workers in some 50 years face rapid changes at work due to globalisation and countries, including Australia, slowing the growth of labour This Conference will explore the results from research papers, new technologies. supply. A key strategy to ensure that access to adequate international projects piloted in Australia and discuss risks At the same time they experience changes in their functional levels of labour is sustained is a higher level of employment associated with managing an ageing workforce. capacities and health as well as in requirements of new participation of Australians over the age of 55 years. However With a focus on workers compensation claims and competencies. All this will have an impact on their values and this will only be achieved if work practices that impact health occupational health, safety and welfare and human resource attitudes toward work life and retirement. The enterprises won- and well being, limit exposure to learning and development matters, this Conference will also outline strategies to assist der how to improve the productivity and quality of work when and offer limited fl exibility to support work life balance are organisations to address workforce ageing. their workforce will grow older. The fear of increasing sickness addressed. absence rates and work disability cost due to the ageing push The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health’s ‘Work Ability’ enterprises to fi nd sustainable solutions. The managers and model provides an integrated approach to assessing and im- supervisors play an important role in recruiting manpower, proving health and well being into later life. BWA is currently training of employees and in organising the work so that fl ex- working with three Australian companies, Qantas, Australia ibilities will meet both the needs of employees and employer. Post and the RACV to translate the model to the local environ- The society is also responsible for the solutions. The government. April 3rd and 4th 2006 ments, ministries and social partners should create new and This session will discuss health and wellbeing as a contributor Hilton Adelaide, effective legislations which will support both the enterprises to later life participation in work in the context of the Australian Victoria Square, Adelaide and individuals to cope with the ageing challenges. The environment. infrastructure should meet the growing needs of social and health services. The employment rates of senior workers and 11.40 am Quick leg stretch April 3rd 11. 50 am incidence rate for workers 55 years and over is around seven 3.30pm times greater than the rate for workers aged 15-24 years and this Meeting the OHS and Workers’ Compensation differential is considerably greater for disease cases. Effectively A Healthy Workforce, a Healthy Bottom Line Challenges for an Ageing Population dealing with this situation requires a comprehensive, structured, - Industry Specifi c Workplace Health and Produc- cooperative and integrated approach to prevention and disability tivity Management - the Australian Experience Dr. Peta Miller, Offi ce of the Australian Safety and management. Such an approach is still relatively embryonic in Compensation Council Australia, particularly when compared to exemplar overseas mod- Nicholas Marks, Gallagher Bassett Services Mature workers, those over 45 years of age, will form more than els such as the Finnish workability model. Greater attention will As Australia’s ageing population challenges slowly gather pace in 80% of the projected increase in the workforce between 1998- need to be directed to primary prevention initiatives, together with the public arena and to a lesser extent within government policy, it 2016. The Australian Government recognises this as an emerg- imaginative approaches to control of harmful exposures. Effective is of signifi cance to note that many industries and organisations in ing issue with economic, social and health consequences and is disability management will need to be grounded in wider initia- Australia do not have a medium or long term strategy for under- implementing policies designed to encourage greater workforce tives to address workplace culture. Attention should be directed standing and managing their ageing workforce. participation of older workers. Ageing workers face specifi c occu- to more sophisticated disability management approaches such as As the last speaker for the day Nicholas will not only aim to keep pational health & safety concerns. These include decreased physi- that developed by the National Institute of Disability Management the audience awake and involved, he will review the extent of cal capacity, fatigue, increased rates of musculoskeletal disorders Research (NIDMAR) in Canada, and, in particular, its consensus Australia’s ageing workforce and its effect on key industries and and greater incidence of disease. In order to ensure the health based disability management audit tool (CBDMA). organisations. Based on Australian evidence and programs this and safety of older workers within the workplace, organisational session will cover: practices will need to be adjusted, new technologies adopted, and • The ‘double whammy’ of the ageing workforce and lifestyle assistance given to cope with work demands. 2.20pm Quick Leg stretch related health changes. The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)’s charter 2.30pm • Why industry specifi c strategies differ are most effective and is to provide leadership and coordination of national efforts to outcome focused. prevent workplace death, injury and disease and to improve work- Maturity Blues; beyondblue’s Response to • How the integration of injury prevention, health promotion and ers’ compensation systems, and rehabilitation and return to work Depression in Later Life injury management derives superior results to singular approaches. of injured employees. By reducing occupational injury and disease Dr. Nicole Highet, beyondblue now, our ageing workforce becomes healthier and more produc- • The clear relationship between health and productivity. tive into the future. Any changes will also benefi t other age groups Depression is a common health problem that affects one in fi ve • How your organisation or industry can practically plan, and therefore have a positive impact on the whole workforce Australians at some point in their adult lifetime. Unfortunately implement and measure effective ageing workforce strategies to most people with depression do not seek treatment. Within the achieve positive return on investment. elderly population, rates of depression are estimated to be greater 12.40pm Lunch amongst those living in residential care. This presentation will 1.40pm specifi cally address key issues surrounding depression for older 4.15pm Australians. In particular, this includes gaining understanding Responding to the Ageing Workforce – a Preven- of the potential risk factors, together with assessment of current Panel discussion: The infl uence of ageing on tion and Disability Management Perspective awareness, understanding and attitudes that older Australians have compensable disabilities surrounding depression. The presentation will also provide an All Conference speakers to participate Alan Clayton, Bracton Consulting overview of beyondblue initiatives to address the issue of depres- An ageing workforce has important consequences for the preven- sion in the Australian population. 5.00pm Close Post Conference drinks and nibbles tion of workforce injuries and illnesses and for their management and return to work after their occurrence. For instance, the fatality 3.15pm Quick leg stretch April 4th Workshop Choice any intentional malingering or exaggeration of symptoms for pur- Workshop 4 poses of compensation. 8.30am Open Where problems exist, the neuropsychologist can provide infor- The Legal Dimension 9.00am Workshop Choice mation and advice where required to the worried worker or the Grant Archer, Finlaysons Lawyers concerned employer. It the case of a confi rmed organic cognitive The landscape of the Australian and particularly the South Austral- loss, a clear and correct early diagnosis can also assist in marshal- Workshop 1 ian Workforce is changing rapidly. Employers are now obliged ling appropriate health-care forces. to review the breadth of their employment policies to refl ect the Improving Later Life Work Ability 10.30am Morning Tea changing demographic

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