Senior Care Careers
Posted: 06.28.2015
In today’s world, there are many more options for senior care than there used to be. The nursing home model has been replaced with assisted living, home care, multi-generational housing and end of life, or hospice, care. Medicine and technology have provided new options for an aging population, making assisted living possible for more seniors. As our population ages, people are also living longer and their quality of life has become a key consideration.
This explosion of choices for senior living has been accompanied by a surge in the number of jobs available working with the elderly. The senior care industry is thriving, with a variety of jobs available for every level of education and training. The retention rate for senior care careers has been steadily climbing, along with available jobs.
More Senior Care Positions Available
Long-term care services are expected to rise as more of the population enters their eighties. The share of seniors receiving paid help is expected to increase 33-50% by 2040 as older adults move into long-term care. Whether seniors elect to live at home with assistance from home health care or move into assisted living, opportunities to help provide a rewarding quality of life will expand for paid caregivers. Recruiting and retaining long-term care workers will be a priority in the coming decades.
Improvements in Medicine and Technology
Medical breakthroughs are playing a much greater role in the quality of life for seniors. Long distance health tracking tools are just one way for doctors and caregivers to monitor the vital signs of their charges. Improvements in medicine continue to facilitate a longer lifespan for many Americans. The numbers of elderly continue to grow with each new medical breakthrough and a corresponding number of senior care positions will be needed.
Technology has also improved the health and longevity of senior citizens. Innovations like Skype allow the elderly to keep in touch with family even if they are housebound. GPS trackers can help caregivers keep track of charges who wander without impeding their movements unnecessarily. Emergency response systems allow senior citizens to signal for help, leading to greater confidence in everyday life. These innovations are helping seniors to thrive emotionally, intellectually and medically.
Quality of Life Issues
Home and community based care is beginning to be more closely coordinated. New initiatives in long-term care have focused on giving seniors more options while improving efficiency and controlling costs. The daily living needs of older Americans are being attended to along with their medical needs.
The Affordable Care Act has increased the number of insured seniors, leading to a need for caregivers in assisted living, nursing homes and hospice settings. “Health Homes" have been established that focus on the well-being of the elderly as well as their health needs. There will be twenty-six new or expanded assisted living centers like this by the end of 2015.
Outlook for Senior Care Careers
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) estimates that between now and 2030 there will be an increase of 2.5 million long-term senior care positions. Senior care careers include companions and caregivers, respite care providers, home health aides and nurses, assisted living workers, nursing home caregivers and hospice workers.
Helping a family’s loved one is more than just a job. Embarking on a senior care career provides the satisfaction of knowing that you are improving someone’s quality of life. One-on-one care and attention has been shown be a decisive factor in the health and happiness of our aging population.
Opportunities for training will continue to grow, along with the number of senior care jobs. Working with the elderly is one career that will bring job satisfaction along with job security. Find out today how you can be a part of this growing career trend!
This explosion of choices for senior living has been accompanied by a surge in the number of jobs available working with the elderly. The senior care industry is thriving, with a variety of jobs available for every level of education and training. The retention rate for senior care careers has been steadily climbing, along with available jobs.
More Senior Care Positions Available
Long-term care services are expected to rise as more of the population enters their eighties. The share of seniors receiving paid help is expected to increase 33-50% by 2040 as older adults move into long-term care. Whether seniors elect to live at home with assistance from home health care or move into assisted living, opportunities to help provide a rewarding quality of life will expand for paid caregivers. Recruiting and retaining long-term care workers will be a priority in the coming decades.
Improvements in Medicine and Technology
Medical breakthroughs are playing a much greater role in the quality of life for seniors. Long distance health tracking tools are just one way for doctors and caregivers to monitor the vital signs of their charges. Improvements in medicine continue to facilitate a longer lifespan for many Americans. The numbers of elderly continue to grow with each new medical breakthrough and a corresponding number of senior care positions will be needed.
Technology has also improved the health and longevity of senior citizens. Innovations like Skype allow the elderly to keep in touch with family even if they are housebound. GPS trackers can help caregivers keep track of charges who wander without impeding their movements unnecessarily. Emergency response systems allow senior citizens to signal for help, leading to greater confidence in everyday life. These innovations are helping seniors to thrive emotionally, intellectually and medically.
Quality of Life Issues
Home and community based care is beginning to be more closely coordinated. New initiatives in long-term care have focused on giving seniors more options while improving efficiency and controlling costs. The daily living needs of older Americans are being attended to along with their medical needs.
The Affordable Care Act has increased the number of insured seniors, leading to a need for caregivers in assisted living, nursing homes and hospice settings. “Health Homes" have been established that focus on the well-being of the elderly as well as their health needs. There will be twenty-six new or expanded assisted living centers like this by the end of 2015.
Outlook for Senior Care Careers
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) estimates that between now and 2030 there will be an increase of 2.5 million long-term senior care positions. Senior care careers include companions and caregivers, respite care providers, home health aides and nurses, assisted living workers, nursing home caregivers and hospice workers.
Helping a family’s loved one is more than just a job. Embarking on a senior care career provides the satisfaction of knowing that you are improving someone’s quality of life. One-on-one care and attention has been shown be a decisive factor in the health and happiness of our aging population.
Opportunities for training will continue to grow, along with the number of senior care jobs. Working with the elderly is one career that will bring job satisfaction along with job security. Find out today how you can be a part of this growing career trend!