The Point is back on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 13:00, Eastern. We will strive to identify clues and signs of people with cognitive or emotional challenges. We live in an age of significant life expectancy, and in a variety of jobs, many are working beyond traditional "retirement" ages. In addition, some perceive general increases in mental health issues across generational lines.
Does it matter why people are working longer? Certainly, the economy may play a role in people delaying retirement or returning to the workplace. Some believe various prices have risen about 50% in the last four, pandemic recovery, years. Workers may be concerned about retirement in this setting.
But, some may simply be resisting retirement and their perceptions of it. They may simply want to feel needed, to contribute, or to remain active. Activity is good for the soul, body, and brain.
Regardless, we are told that senior participation in the workplace remains significant, and growing. This may implicate workplace safety. And there may also be other concerns including physical injury, absences, and more. But, the theme of this post is mental acuity.
I recently attended a meeting in Florida. I ran into a fellow I have known for over a decade. He was genial and seemed to recognize me. But he seemed confused to see me. His confusion was manifest in several statements. One example is when I encountered him while entering the meeting room, he asked what I was doing there. He then said I must be entering the wrong room. He asked if I was not at that venue for “the Tennessee conference?”
We were far from Tennessee (Florida). There was no Tennessee conference at that location that week or day. In fact, I remain unpersuaded that particular venue had any other events that day. I later related the interaction and experience to others, but they expressed no similar interactions with this person's cognition.
Was his Tennessee reference a disconnected attempt at humor?
Was the speaker confused by some context (I struggle to recall when I last saw him prior, perhaps it was in Tennessee?)
Was there some broader cognitive disassociation at work?
How was I to tell what drove the odd and confused conversation?
In the widest context, how can workers and managers look out for mental health challenges in the workplace? What are the signs of budding issues? When do we mind our business and when do we seek help (for ourselves or others)?
Let’s face it, I have called people by the wrong name. I have found myself in a room and struggled to recall why I went there. I have walked away from my car and forgotten my cell phone, keys, and other items. Who hasn’t? Are those warnings or are they merely part of a busy world?
The fact is, we are all prone to mistakes, missteps, and misremembering. Life is persistent in its challenges.
This recent interaction reminded me of another incident. Years ago, I ran into another fellow at a distant conference. I said “hello, “ and he noted it was good to “meet in person finally.” The problem is that we had met in person previously (reasonably recently). I apparently had failed to leave any lasting impression. Who hasn’t failed to remember someone or something?
The point is, that such interactions may not be so rare. Perhaps the potential or probability of challenges with memory and beyond should be one of our foci?
But relations with and among employees are constrained. There is privacy to respect. There is the safety of a possibly challenged worker, and others, to consider. There is minding your own business. There is the counter responsibility of both community and conscious.
Are there bright lines? When might you wonder or worry about a worker? When would you speak frankly to a coworker? When would you approach management? How would you decide?
Join us for The Point to hear from a manager, a physician, a business owner, and me. Let’s hear your questions, and share thoughts on how we can be better at the challenges we may face with doubt, concern, and consequences.
The Point Webinar – Slip Slidin’ Away: Identifying and Managing the Loss of Mental Acuity in the Workplace and Beyond.
https://lnkd.in/erUdc4an
