人口老化是先進國家很嚴重的社會問題，老年人口快速增加，出生率持續下降，人口學專家稱之為「銀髮海嘯」，事業單位將會面臨勞動力嚴重不足的問題，老人安養與社會救濟負擔逐漸加重，這個現象逐漸蔓延、日益加深，我國也受到這道海嘯的威脅。台灣將很快地面臨嚴重的勞工短缺問題，因此，高齡勞工的發展是越來越重要。儘管高齡者身心功能會隨著年紀增長而退化，但是他們擁有經驗及穩定性，善用高齡勞工將可以有效地解決勞動力不足及社會負擔之問題。
　　本研究主要目的為探討高齡者的能力限制，就這些能力限制來改善高齡勞工職務與工作場所。以本研究室開發的「人因工程工作場所改善的技術」為本，納入德國與芬蘭提出的高齡勞工之工作能力評估方法，來建立兩張評估表及一張改善方案工作表。機械修理廠的兩名高齡勞工實地填寫這份評估表，來進行評估表的驗證，結果顯示這份評估表能夠適切的評估工作能力與工作需求間之差異，再利用改善方案工作表輔助工作職務再設計，勞工與管理者對於改善工作場所的重新設計頗為讚賞。儘管如此，評估表之形式過於冗長和繁瑣應該刪節或縮短，有待後續研究。
　　本研究結果對於導入職務再設計來建構高齡勞工之健康安全的工作環境，有了一道曙光，高齡勞工能夠繼續發揮所長貢獻公司，事業單位能夠減少額外人力成本支出，並且減輕國家對於老人照護等社會救濟問題。

　　Population aging is an ever-increasing social problem in developed countries. The elderly population is increasing; however the birth rate is declining. The Industry faces a serious shortage of labor force, but elderly care and were fare assistance tax a significant burden to the society. The demographic experts call it "silver tsunami". This silver tsunami is gradually spreading and deepening. Taiwan has not only been in the threat of this tsunami, but will also be driven to a far more extend, because the birth rate is highly declined. As a consequence, Taiwan will face serious labor shortage problem soon, therefore, the development of the aging workers is increasingly important. Although, the elderly is physically and psychologically disadvantageous, they are more experienced and stable. Make good use of the elderly will be a probable mean to solve the labor shortage and social burden effectively.
　　This study aims to assess the elderly's physical and psychological ability limits to match the works by modifying operation demands and redesigning of workplace. Incorporating the two methods in assessing the work abilities of the elderly and work demands proposed by Finland and Germany, and the ergonomic workplace improvement technology which we developed in our lab, this study has devised two evaluation forms and one improvement plan worksheet.
　　These forms and worksheet has been tested on 2 elderly workers in a machine repairing shop. The result shows that these forms and worksheet are quite suitable in assessing the match between their personal ability and work demand. These elderly workers were quite appreciated to the improved workplace re-design. Nevertheless, it is suggested that the forms are too lengthy and tedious (quote "we do not have much time left"); they should be abridged or shortened.
　　The result of this study cast a little light on the implementing of job redesign in constructing a healthy and safe working environment for the elderly. It seems to be quite promising, that the elderly is able to continue contribute their ability to the industry and elderly care and were fare assistance can be lessened.

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