MANY people quite rightly consider their age is simply a number.

Retirement is no longer a consideration for those who don't want to give up working - and due to the phased out retirement age - it is possible for them to continue working for as long as they feel able to.

Consequently, Britain's workforce is ageing but with all the wit and wisdom, not to mention the commitment and reliability older workers bring, it is bound to be a boon for firms which is why keeping older workers fit and healthy is imperative.

The NHS already recommends that people over the age of 65 get the flu jab each year to protect against flu and its complications.

Now NICE, (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), has made a series of recommendations about the health and wellbeing of older employees after saying that the number of people who continue to work later in life is set to increase.

Employers need to be mindful of life events that affect older people such as the loss of a spouse, according to Nice's workplace guidance which has been updated to include recommendations for "older employees" aged 50 and over.

Figures show the number of British people aged 65 or over in employment has soared over the last two decades from 425,000 in 1994 to almost 1.17 million in 2015. And in 2015, 8.2 million employees were aged 50 to 64.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at Nice, said: "The number of older people in employment is set to increase - people are living longer and will be working well into their 60s and 70s.

"Protecting their health and wellbeing is essential if we are to maintain a healthy and diversified workforce. Our new recommendations will support older employees and help keep them in employment for longer by providing clarity on their needs.

"If their job role changes, the employer needs to support the individual to re-train, as well as accommodating changes in personal circumstance. These recommendations will ensure that an older person can continue working, with their health and wellbeing protected, until their retirement."

Bradford businesswoman, Terry King, believes the recommendation for employers to offer employees over 65 flu jabs at work brings benefits for both.

"I think it is an excellent idea and I think it is a good idea for two reasons," says Terry.

"One, it is good for looking after employees because it is the right thing to do, but the other is if you look after them they keep more productive and they are loyal to the firm so there is a big bonus for employers to look after their staff."

The 63-year-old, who was awarded the OBE for her 20-year-career with the Department for Work and Pensions, and is now using her previous experience working in the mature enterprise sector to support the needs and aspirations for older people through the community interest company, Chapter 3 Enterprise, says another benefit of having the flu jab at work is it makes it a swifter process rather than trying to get an appointment at the local doctor's surgery which fits around work and where it may take longer to be seen.

And, it could encourage older workers, who may put off having the jab as they feel fit and well, to have it done.

"I know they run lots of clinics but it is during the day and it is actually an old fashioned assumption that people of my age have nothing better to do," says Terry.

"A lot of people are working, you cannot get an appointment that suits you and you don't really want to do it when you feel well. It is an absolutely cracking idea and a win win all way round."

Michael Horsley, Infection Prevention Nurse Manager for Bradford Council, says employers should consider their role in preventing the spread of flu and also coping with larger staff absences during winter by encouraging eligible staff to get their vaccinations and promoting good hand washing routines.

"Reminding workers to go to the flu clinic at their local GPs or to their local pharmacy can ensure they get their vaccine. Many pharmacies can also give vaccination out of core work hours if they are struggling to find an appropriate time.

"Although the key flu season is between September and March, larger employers should make sure they have the right procedures before next year."