Il Progetto ProAgeing

The ProAgeing Project addresses the challenges posed by an aging workforce, particularly focusing on workers over the age of 50 who must adapt to new job demands and increasing technological complexities. Funded by INAIL, the project responds to the demographic impact of aging in Italy, where 37% of the workforce is between 50 and 64 years old. This phenomenon strains healthcare systems, as longer working lives require interventions to maintain workers' productivity, health, and cognitive functions. Background and Objectives: The project explores the effects of job demands on the cognitive and physical well-being of older employees, recognizing that increasing work stress and technological integration can lead to greater mental fatigue, often resulting in anxiety, cognitive exhaustion, and reduced productivity. These issues are exacerbated by “technostress” and the physical and psychological demands of shift work, especially night shifts. The ProAgeing Project is designed as a longitudinal observational study involving over 450 participants across various sectors, with the aim to: 1. Examine the link between work capacity, psychological well-being, cognitive abilities, and biological age. 2. Analyze how different working conditions, such as night shifts, influence these factors. 3. Observe changes in participants’ health over time, particularly regarding cognitive functions and biological aging indicators, including telomere length. Methodology: Participants underwent medical, psychological, and cognitive assessments through self-assessment apps and in-person interviews. Tools developed include the ProAgeing App, which monitors cognitive functioning, and a specific Technostress Scale to measure technology-related workplace stress. Key Findings: 1. Night Shifts, Cognitive Decline, and Work Ability: Night and rotating shifts negatively impact sleep quality, leading to cognitive deterioration, especially in memory. Shift work disrupts circadian rhythm, worsening mental fatigue and reducing alertness. Blue-collar workers (BCW), more exposed to night shifts, exhibited worse cognitive effects than white-collar workers (WCW). Beyond cognitive decline, shift work also correlates with a more pronounced reduction in work capacity in BCWs compared to WCWs. 2. Technostress and Job Performance: Increased use of new technologies, while enhancing productivity, has led to high levels of stress, especially among older workers. This stress negatively affects workers’ adaptability and can reduce job satisfaction. Known as “technostress,” it is perceived by WCWs as cognitive overload and by BCWs as anxiety about potentially lagging in required skills. 3. Work Stress and Mental Health: Work stress has proven to be a significant factor for anxiety and depression symptoms in older workers, contributing over time to cognitive decline. BCWs report worse psychological profiles than WCWs, likely due to the physical burden and variability of shifts, which negatively affect both sleep and emotional well-being. 4. Telomere Length and Biological Aging: Telomere length, an indicator of biological aging, was another focal point of the project. BCWs working night shifts generally exhibit shorter telomeres, indicating accelerated cellular aging compared to WCWs. The impact of night shifts on telomere length is more pronounced among BCWs, likely due to physical strain and sleep difficulties. However, BCWs who no longer work night shifts have shown some telomere length recovery. 5. Factorial Analysis: Results from the 10 questionnaires administered to workers were subjected to factor analysis, revealing a robust four-factor structure: Psychopathological Symptoms, Psychological Discomfort, Sleep, and Coping Strategies. This opens the possibility of creating a single questionnaire in the future that could gather all relevant information and provide an index of overall health. Limitations and Future Developments: The ProAgeing Project provides a comprehensive overview of the aging workforce while acknowledging some limitations, such as the low gender variability within the sample. Future phases aim to expand analyses on the current sample and develop personalized intervention programs to promote physical and mental resilience. Further analyses will deepen insights into telomere dynamics to identify preventive interventions that support healthy aging. Conclusions: The ProAgeing Project underscores the need for an inclusive and supportive work environment that values the contribution of older workers. Addressing the cognitive and psychological challenges associated with aging can improve workplace productivity and job satisfaction, fostering a healthier workforce and a smoother transition toward retirement.