Elderly people make excellent employees… with their breadth of experience and a maturity in their approach. Turnover is significantly lower than all other categories. The typical elder is not out looking for another job… willing to move from place to place at the drop of a hat for 10 additional cents an hour or seeking to climb the corporate ladder! My mother needs my help today, my child is ill… all the family obligations are no longer reasons to miss work.

Don’t underestimate the experience… even though they may not have the tech world down pat… their techniques may make up for knowing how to “copy” and “paste”. The most remarkable staff member I ever had assisting me was a 92 year old volunteer who worked in my department at an acute hospital. She stuffed envelopes with an organized method that got the job done in a speedy fashion with her nimble fingers.

Shunning tasks that they may consider beneath them, like a 23 year old college graduate may do, will not likely occur. The older employee will likely be more cooperative, grateful for the opportunity to stay active.

Progressive companies are making a concerted effort to recruit seniors. Maturity on the job, as an employer myself… sounds refreshing. Our seniors will not be sneaking in their iPods on the job, texting on their iPhone, and squeezing their social interactions on Facebook into the workday!