People often use the start of a new year to reassess what is most important to them and explore ways to make life more meaningful. Many times, that includes reevaluating a career path. Whether your background is clinical, such as nursing or physical therapy, or your training is in accounting, culinary services or housekeeping, senior care might provide the opportunity you are seeking.
From Valentine’s Day to American Heart Month, February symbolizes caring. That’s why it’s a great time to consider a career that brings you joy and meaning, like working in senior care.
Reasons to Consider a Career in Senior Care
• Build deeper relationships.
Unlike an acute care hospital where patients come and go quickly, a senior care community is home for residents. Seniors often live there for years. As a team member, you’ll have a chance to get to know and bond with the older adults who live in the community. Many times, that bond also extends to residents’ families.
• Make a difference.
For a variety of reasons, the past few years have been difficult ones in this country. It’s caused many people to search for ways to make a difference. When you choose to work with seniors, you’ll soon realize how important what you do each day is. Some residents are separated from their children and grandchildren by many miles. Others have outlived their loved ones. Having compassionate caregivers to count on is essential. You’ll often hear residents express their gratitude to the community’s team members.
• Take advantage of opportunities for career advancement.
The number of U.S. residents over the age of 65 is expected to soar to 22% of the population by the year 2050. For context, that’s up from 12.4% in 2000. As our population continues to grow older, the need for workers in senior care will climb, too. That means team members who choose to work in this field will have a variety of chances for career growth. Communities often make it a practice to promote from within, including giving current employees opportunities to transition into entirely different departments.
• Be part of a team.
The senior care industry utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to planning and caring for residents. That means team members work together to assess needs and find solutions that allow each resident to enjoy their best quality of life. A life enrichment assistant, for example, can bring up their concern that a once-social senior hasn’t participated in any activities that week. The team can then share information on what might have caused this change and what can be done to overcome it.
• Enjoy job security.
Unlike in some industries where employment opportunities are decreasing or vanishing completely, the demand for senior care will continue to rise. That means employees who are compassionate and committed will enjoy greater job security than in other career paths they might follow.
• Work a flexible schedule.
Because residents need assistance 24/7, communities need help around the clock. Team members will find employment hours can be flexed more easily. For example, a nurse with small children might prefer to work an overnight shift so they can be home with their family during the day. Or a college student who takes evening classes might enjoy working in dining services during breakfast and lunch shifts.
• Learn new skills.
Continuing education is a part of everyday life in senior care. Team members will regularly attend workshops and trainings designed to help refresh and expand skills. A care companion who works with memory care residents, for example, will appreciate the chance to learn more about best practices as they evolve.
Chart Your Own Course at American Senior Communities (ASC)
With over 100 communities across Indiana, the career opportunities for dedicated team members are endless. Read what Jeremiah Dyer, Vice President of Clinical Services, has to say about his personal path from nurse to Medicare Case Manager and more. His journey exemplifies the advancement opportunities that senior care offers. To learn more about our career opportunities, visit ASCCare.com/careers.
