America's oldest workers gravitate towards one particular career field

"Shortly after one of her recent weekday chair yoga classes at a nursing home, Barbara Brown, 83, recalled when she asked participants to take a deep breath and exhale. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a woman moving her hands and feet. "She never moves," Brown whispered to herself. She had noticed she barely reacts to others anymore. But seeing her participate in class, Brown looked on in awe. "It's working." As she taught the class in Richmond, Virginia, how to do a seated twist, she looked up and saw a mass of moving arms, nodding heads, and beaming grins. For an hour, those who otherwise live fairly sedentary lives became exuberant learners."

""Helping others is giving me more life," says Brown, who has taught since 2009. "I stay in the moment, not looking back or regretting. My time is spent creating. What can I do now to create a better life and to help others have a better life?""

"Many of the nearly 550,000 Americans 80 and older who still work are employed in roles that improve the lives of their fellow 80-year-olds. Over 12,500 work as personal care aides, according to a Business Insider analysis of Census Bureau data. Other common jobs include physical therapists, registered nurses, drivers for medical institutions, and nonprofit work focusing on older Americans. Some work in education for older Americans, such as teaching AI or leading community events."

Barbara Brown, 83, teaches chair yoga to nursing home residents and observed participants who rarely move become engaged and active during class. She has taught since 2009 and reports that helping others gives her more life, keeps her in the moment, and focuses her time on creating better lives for others. Many Americans aged 80 and older continue to work, with nearly 550,000 still employed. Over 12,500 of them work as personal care aides. Other common roles include physical therapists, registered nurses, medical institution drivers, nonprofit positions serving older adults, and educational roles such as teaching AI or leading community events.

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