Rehapro SERVE - Reintegration into the Labour Market for Older Workers with Health Problems - Results of the Exploratory Study

Purpose: The cross-sectoral project SERVE, which stands for “Support, Education, Resources, Vocational Employment,” aims to enhance the collaboration in medical and occupational rehabilitation across the affected sectors. The project’s main objectives are twofold: firstly, to facilitate cooperation between different sectors in the field of rehabilitation, and secondly, to streamline the process of returning to work for individuals with health-related participation difficulties, thereby reducing the incidence of early retirement among older individuals.
Methods: Study participants are recruited and supported by dedicated SERVE case and care managers via job centres and employment agencies. A multidisciplinary social-medical colloquium (SMK) determines the range of customized services, which are adapted to the requirements of the Participants and, when deemed necessary, extend beyond the scope of statutory benefits. The members of the SMK—namely, social physicians, job centres, employment agencies, general practitioners, and the German Pension Insurance—engage in virtual case conferences. These novel methodological approaches are currently under development and being tested in SERVE. A mixed-methods design is employed for the evaluation of the data collected quantitatively via questionnaires and qualitatively via interviews.
Results: The SERVE project has achieved a substantial increase in the reintegration rate of older job seekers with health-related challenges. A notable proportion of the participants, 51%, have secured employment, a development attributable to the provision of tailored and personal support. These individuals are back at work, have undergone training programs (LTA), or are currently engaged in active job-seeking endeavours. The SERVE cross-sector collaboration has achieved a cultural transformation within the participating organizations.
Conclusion: The reintegration of older individuals into the labor market can be successful and has the potential to reduce societal costs by preventing the premature disbursement of early retirement pensions to those with health needs. The findings indicate that a more pronounced emphasis on health and a cultural transformation within job centers and employment agencies are imperative. However, the implementation of SERVE requires the establishment of a digital platform to facilitate effective communication between the sectors.