The Lee Memorial Health System has been recognized by the AARP as one of Best Employers one of the best employers in the country of workers fifty and older. Of the fifty employers named – Lee Memorial ranked 2nd in the way it treats older workers. About 35 percent of the health care providers’ workforce is 50 or older – that’s about 24 hundred employees. Human Resources Director Jon Cecil says that includes 14 employees over the age of 80. These folks work part-time as patient sitters.

“They sit with patients that need additional attention while they’re in the hospital so when the nurse isn’t in the room someone is with the patient all the time.”

Cecil says its win-win position for the workers – who get a little bit of income – and also get of the house and into a stimulating environment. Lee Memorial also provides flex time and job sharing for older workers. Part-time employees are also eligible for health-care and pension benefits.

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Lee Memorial Health Care is one the best places in the country to work for people aged fifty or older. That’s according the AARP which began making the annual designation six years ago. Human Resources Director Jon Cecil says Lee Memorial is very pleased by the AARP’s endorsement. And he says older employees are a valuable resource.

“We see an exodus of a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge wisdom and maturity, and these are individuals that were typically serve as mentors and coaches for our younger force – so anything we can do to retain that older workforce is very important and vital to our ability to provide the highest quality patient care.”

The AARP selected Lee Memorial as one the top employers of workers 50 and older because of its flexible work options, job sharing, phased retirement and employee health and pension benefits. The Hospital system has 14 workers over the age of 80.