UK firms are already starting to see a change in their workforce demographics, prompting fears that ageing workforce health issues will affect their company, Aviva's annual Health of the Workplace report has found.
The removal of the Default Retirement Age, increased longevity and continued financial pressures on the over 55s mean nearly a third (29%) of employers are already seeing a rise in the average age of their workforce, while 37% expect to see it get older in the future.
A third (29%) of employers are aware they need to offer different health advice.
One in five (18%) said they would need to offer different health benefits and a quarter (23%) of employers said they would need training to help spot signs of serious illness, such as dementia.
The report also reveals that employees' requirements change with age and as a result, so do the benefits that they value.
Over a third (35%) of employees over 55 said that having access to benefits such as private medical insurance could help them stay healthy, compared to a fifth (22%) of 25-34 year-old employees.
And although 50% of employers believe there are positive benefits for individuals working past the traditional retirement age, 38% predict ageing health issues will impact their business.
Sickness absence rates are expected to rise for a quarter (24%) of employers.
A similar proportion of employers (26%) are concerned that older employees would be absent with more serious conditions than younger colleagues.
Dr Doug Wright, Medical Director for Aviva UK Health said: "Employers are undoubtedly going to see some employees with conditions that are more common in older people, such as certain forms of cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
"It's encouraging to see from our report that employers recognise the role they hold in helping to keep their employees healthy - and in particular the need to adapt the support and benefits they offer to suit the differing healthcare needs of an older workforce."
