I don't visit this forum nearly enough, there are some wonderful ideas in this thread.

I didn't see this mentioned, and I also searched, but how about the option for the elderly to "retire"?

It would be fun to see them have a little space set aside only for them. I love that in VV3 I can make virtually everyone an Esteemed Elder, and I think they've earned their rest. Once I've solved the puzzles that require a certain amount of specific workers, I uncheck their preference when they become an Elder, and at least let them do the job they prefer.