Worldwide, the statistics of the aging population continues to rise and this number is expected to double between 2015 and 2030.Therefore, countries are expected to face a severe shortage of experienced staff as many of these mature employees undergo retirement. At the same time, these retirees also experience a gap in their lives after being employed for decades and being engaged fully. So many seniors wish to continue their employment either in part-time or full-time jobs after retirement.
Fortunately, the role of mentoring offers an interesting solution to this dilemma. Mentoring is essentially encouraging the personal and professional development of a mentee (junior) by a mentor (senior) by sharing the latter’s knowledge, expertise and experience in employment. It gives an exciting opportunity for elders to work after 60s.It also facilitates them to exploit their skills in a meaningful way at the end of their professional tenure without abandoning their talents.
The foundation pillars for mentoring are mutual trust, communication and respect. It fosters a better relationship between the older and younger generation by the exchange of ideas, progress discussions and goal settings through regular meetings. Ideally, seniors make the best mentors because they have plenty of time at their disposal and a treasury of wisdom gained through life experiences. This kind of communication with the elderly offers guidance, support and encouragement to the younger workforce and guarantees the most valuable career development opportunities.
Role of Seniors in Mentoring
With respect to-
- Mentees
- Provide guidance, support and encouragement to improve the overall performance at the workplace
- Elicit exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking
- Help them in overcoming the weaknesses and optimizing the strengths
- Provide guidance on professional development and progress in career planning
- Assist in gaining increased visibility and recognition within the organization
- Showcase opportunities to develop new skill sets, knowledge and expertise
- Organization
- Encourage in development of a culture that promotes personal and proficient growth of the employees
- Share the appropriate and desired organizational behaviours and attitudes
- Build leadership and training capabilities in managers for team building
- Improve the morale, ethical values, motivation and performance of the staff
- Ensure proper engagement, retention and development of performers
- Provide career guidance to top emerging talent
- Transfer critical business knowledge and skills to build a pipeline of future leaders for succession
Benefits of Mentoring to Seniors
- Ensures better investment of time in laying the foundation skills of another professional
- Achieve of personal satisfaction of knowledge, skill and experience sharing with a willing learner
- Get exposure to new ideas, thoughts and perspectives from mentees
- Gain extension of the professional development records
- Witness opportunities to reflect and retrospect on their own goals and working methodologies
- Acquire a chance for the development of personal leadership and training skills
- Experience gain in cognitive capabilities which improves the quality of life
- Enhances mental activation patterns which help in planning and organizing their daily lives
- Slows down or reverses the decline in brain functioning
- Delays the onset of various diseases related to aging thereby increasing the life expectancy from a public health standpoint
- Improves the physical abilities of seniors by engaging them constructively thereby promoting their health and well-being
- Aids in effectively transferring skills honed during their own employment
- Provides an exposure to learn new cultures and customs from the mentees
- Helps in being updated with the latest technologies and developments in their field of work
- Expands their personal social and business network
- Builds long-term and reliable relationships
Elderly Care options like Senior Living Homes and Assisted Living Facilities constantly endeavour to encourage their residents to make constructive usage of their time through emerging avenues like Mentoring for a fulfilled retired tenure.
