Individual and Occupational Determinants: Work Ability in People with Health Problems (Occupational Safety, Health, and Ergonomics)

There are individual and professional factors that have the greatest impact on the preservation of work ability for people of advanced age, and people with chronic health issues and disabilities. This text examines the demographic trends in the population and shows that proper functioning in their lives is only possible if people are provided with appropriate psychosocial and physical working conditions. This publication discusses physiological changes that occur with age and influence work performance. It presents the concept of applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in order to assess the work ability of people with disabilities. It shows, using examples and case studies, that practical activities aimed at appropriate working conditions for people of advanced age, and people with health issues and disabilities, will have excellent work ability. Features * Presents a comprehensive approach to workplace tolerance for people with health issues * Offers an innovated in-depth evaluation of the Work Ability Index (WAI) * Presents applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to access the work ability of people with disabilities * Outlines actions that should be taken to maintain work ability for people of advanced age or with disabilities * Provides real case studies and analysis. "Demographic changes, especially those related to aging, belong to the main changes occurring in the contemporary working environment. Thus, preserving work ability in the older population as well as [populations with] health concerns are among the most important challenges of today. Accordingly, the monograph fits into the most recent issues of [this] public health area, focusing on __work ability in populations at risk of social exclusion, also occupational exclusion. These are older people, persons with chronic diseases and those with different types of disabilities.__ In my opinion, highlighting the problem of work ability in the context of aging by the authors, in such a broad understanding, is extremely valuable and useful and the presented research outcome is an authentic and very much expected contribution to the discussion on this issue. The topic has been thoroughly presented, which undoubtedly results from the interdisciplinarity of the group of authors including specialists in work physiology, physicians and physiotherapists. The monograph provides a very measurable and reliable knowledge in this field. Combining the theory with the presentation of the authors’ research outcomes is an unquestionable advantage of the monograph...". ―__Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland__ Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgment Editors Contributors Series Editor Part I: General Issues Chapter 1 Work Ability Assessment: An Important Element of Workers Health Protection Chapter 2 Work Ability Index as a Tool of Assessment of the Possibilities to Perform Work About Work Ability Analysis of Work Ability Index and Its Components Application of WAI References Chapter 3 Dynamics of Changes in Work Ability According to the Type of Work, Age and Gender of Employees – Results of Research Introduction Methods Results Discussion References Chapter 4 Work Ability Index and Its Relationships to Factors Characterizing Work, Non-professional Loads and Individual Factors – Results of Research Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References Part II: Work Ability and Age Chapter 5 Age-Related Physiological Changes Influencing Work Ability Age-Related Changes in the Cardiovascular System Age-Related Changes in the Respiratory System and Immunity Age-Related Changes in the Musculoskeletal System Age-Related Changes in the Nervous System Age-Related Changes in Sensory Organs Other Age-Related Changes Affecting Functioning in Advanced Age Tests and Scales Used in Geriatric Assessment of Functional Abilities Evaluation of Muscle Strength References Chapter 6 Activities for Supporting Work Ability of Ageing Workers Physical Activity and Nutritional Recommendations in Older Adults Rehabilitation in Older Individuals Including Rehabilitation to Restore Work Ability References Chapter 7 Physical and Psychosocial Work Demand Changes with Age Definition of Aging Worker Disparities between Working Conditions due to Workers’ Age according to the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey Differences in Working Conditions According to Age in Research Conclusions References Chapter 8 Work Ability in Older Women Working in Retail Sector – Results of Research Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References Chapter 9 Work Ability among Male Workers in Different Ages – Results of Research Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion References Part III: Work Ability and Chronic Diseases Chapter 10 Work Ability and Its Relationship to Sense of Coherence among Workers with Chronic Diseases – Results of Research Introduction Study Group Methods Results Discussion and Practical Implications References Chapter 11 Adjustment of Work Organization and Working Conditions to the Needs of Persons with Chronic Diseases – Results of Research Introduction Methods Results Discussion References Chapter 12 Work Ability in Workers with Mental Diseases Introduction The General Impact and Prevalence of Mental Health Problems in the Adult Population of the EU and Poland Common Mental Disorders – Epidemiology and Characteristics in the Context of Work Ability Conclusions References Chapter 13 Activities Supporting Work Ability in Workers with Chronic Diseases Introduction Osteoarthritis Coronary Heart Disease and Hypertension Diabetes Summary References Part IV: Work Ability and Disabilities Chapter 14 Model of Work Ability Assessment Using ICF Introduction Using ICF in Work Ability Assessment Description of the Model of Work Ability Assessment Based on ICF Conclusions References Chapter 15 Conditions Impacting on Work Ability in People with Motor Disabilities – Results of Research Introduction Methods Results Discussion References Index "The publication will discuss physiological changes that occur with age and that influence work performance. It will present the concept of applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), in order to assess the work ability of people with disabilities. It shows by examples and case studies that practical activities aimed at appropriate working conditions for people of advanced age, with health issues, and with disabilities, will have excellent work ability"-- Provided by publisher The book explains what actions are needed to maintain work ability with people of advanced age, with chronic health issues and with disabilities, both at the corporate level as well as at the individual level. It shows through shaping the working environment and promoting and a healthy lifestyle can have a positive effect on work performance. Zawiera rozdziały autorstwa Polaków: 15/15