In an era where workplace ageism often dominates corporate headlines, a prominent New Jersey aging services provider is being celebrated for the exact opposite.
Parker Health Group, Inc. recently announced that it has been officially recognized as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer™ (CAFE) by the Age-Friendly Institute. The designation honors Parker’s deliberate commitment to recruiting, retaining, and elevating professionals age 50 and older.
The certification isn’t just a symbolic gesture; it is backed by significant workforce data. According to Jean Rebele, Parker’s Chief Administration and Talent Officer, the organization’s staff is heavily anchored by experienced professionals:
- 58% of Parker’s full-time care partners are age 50 or older.
- 44% of its part-time care partners fall into the same experienced demographic.
“Parker is a place where experience is valued, and knowledge is shared across generations,” Rebele said. “This national designation reflects how we elevate one another and ultimately make a meaningful difference in the lives of the older adults we serve.”
To earn the CAFE status, the Waltham, MA-based Age-Friendly Institute evaluated Parker across 14 rigorous best-practice areas. These include:
- Workforce Planning: Strategies to attract mature talent.
- Training & Development: Ensuring lifelong learning opportunities.
- Flexible Arrangements: Accommodating the evolving needs of long-tenured staff.
- Culture & Benefits: Creating an environment where “institutional knowledge” is preserved rather than phased out.
As a large employer with more than 250 employees in the Health and Home Services category, Parker joins a select national network of organizations that view a multi-generational workforce as a competitive advantage.
The Age-Friendly Institute notes that being “age-friendly” isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. Organizations that embrace older workers typically see stronger applicant responses and longer average tenures, which significantly reduces the high costs of employee turnover.
“Having an inclusive workforce strengthens our organization and advances our mission,” said Roberto Muñiz, Parker’s President and CEO. “Earning the CAFE designation reflects the culture our teams have built, valuing experience and expanded opportunity.”
The certification is not a one-time award. The Institute conducts evaluations every two years to ensure that certified employers like Parker continue to meet strict policy requirements.
For residents and families in Middlesex and Somerset counties, the designation provides an extra layer of assurance: the people providing care at Parker are not only experienced but are supported by an organization that treats their decades of expertise as a vital asset.
