October Health – 2025 Report
55-64 Demographic in United States
Finances and money concerns—especially retirement planning, debt, and ongoing expenses—are the leading source of stress for adults aged 55–64 in the United States. This is a population-level pattern, not an individual's. In the workplace, addressing financial stress with targeted resources can help; October offers digital group sessions, assessments, and content on financial stress and resilience that can support midlife employees.
How mental health affects the 55-64 demographic differently
-
Financial and retirement planning pressures: concerns about savings, debt, healthcare costs, and Social Security. Workplace impact: decision fatigue and reduced focus. Coping: use financial wellness resources and retirement planning programs at work.
-
Caregiving for aging parents and possibly adult children (sandwich generation): time constraints and emotional strain. Workplace impact: need for flexible scheduling or leave. Coping: caregiver support programs and clear communication with supervisors.
-
Health concerns and chronic-condition management: rising risk of conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes), sleep changes, and energy fluctuations. Workplace impact: presenteeism or absences. Coping: regular health management plans and reasonable accommodations.
-
Job security and need for retraining: fear of layoffs and age-related bias, plus upskilling requirements. Workplace impact: pressure to adapt to new tech or processes. Coping: access to training, coaching, and phased career pathways.
-
Transition to retirement and identity changes: loss of daily structure and purpose. Workplace impact: planning for phased exits or post-retirement roles. Coping: pre-retirement planning, volunteering, and meaningful part-time opportunities.
-
Social connections and loneliness: potential shrinking of networks post-retirement or after caregiving shifts. Workplace impact: lower social support and morale. Coping: maintain peer connections; consider mental health supports (e.g., October) to bolster resilience.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the 55-64 demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.