AARP is working to provide resources to Utahns over 50 who are unemployed. The state currently has a 10% unemployment rate.
“We’ve always tried to be out there with the information that helps older adults get back into the workforce," said Emily Allen, the senior vice president of programs for AARP, a foundation that focuses on the needs of older workers.
On Wednesday, AARP shared advice with people who are unemployed and facing a daunting job market in the state of Utah. Susan Weinstock, the vice president of financial resilience for the foundation was the guest speaker.
Allen said it is important for those who are unemployed to contact the Utah Department of Workforce Services and apply for unemployment benefits.
“It can really be helpful to one, make sure they’re counted in the statistics, and two, be able to take advantage of some of the things that are coming through economic stimulus," she said.
According to Allen, it will often take longer for older adults to re-enter the workforce, so they need to use all of the resources available to them.
Allen said regardless of one’s employment status, it is important to maintain your health and continue networking.
“It’s really important that people continue to network and reach out to friends and family and former co workers to make sure they stay connected, so that when jobs reopen, they become more aware of who can help them," she said.
Allen encourages people to visit foundation.AARP.org for more information and resources.
