Career Opportunities Working With the Elderly

As the population ages, their health care needs grow, which means career opportunities working with the elderly are also growing. By 2030, all baby boomers will be over 65, which means 21% of the nation (more than 73 million Americans) will be ready to retire, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Careers working to provide care and companionship to seniors are a considerable opportunity for those with a heart for service. Lisa Carter, faculty for the Purdue Global Undergraduate School of Arts and Sciences, shares what career opportunities are coming, what services seniors will need, and how to be successful in serving seniors.

How Will an Aging Population Affect Career Opportunities?

An increase in seniors means an increase in their needs, from everyday living to specialty medical care and many necessities in between. Carter says this will create growth in careers in elder care and other occupations serving seniors.

"With a large part of the population in that age group, there may be a shortage of social workers, case managers, and possibly resources to support that level of growth, in both the private and public sectors," Carter says. "This brings opportunities for many areas of employment, such as advocacy, program development, and legislative action."

Changing demographics will also affect career opportunities. Carter says the growth in minority groups in that age group will also create more specialties within advocacy and political action.

"We're going to have a huge need for more multicultural awareness, along with bilingual and multilingual case managers," she says.

What Type of Services Do Seniors Need?

Carter says that more than providing care to ill or impaired seniors, there is increased emphasis on preventive health, healthy aging, and wellness. She says the older adult population has had little exposure to these topics.

"There will be a need for raising awareness and education," she says, "about healthy aging and measures people can take to avoid social isolation, cognitive decline, and physical health issues. With that, there will also be a need for services to provide care assistance."

According to LIVESTRONG.com, seniors may need help with the following:

• Medication
• Mobility
• Nutrition
• Personal care
• Transportation

Each of these needs can be met by professionals trained in working with the elderly.

What Jobs Are Available Working With Seniors?

Key jobs working with seniors include social and human service assistants (these individuals may work directly with seniors) and social and community service managers (workers who coordinate and supervise programs for seniors). Positions as community and social service specialists may also be available.

Social and Human Service Assistants

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social and human service assistants work in many fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work, including support for families.

These workers focus on helping seniors stay in their homes and live under their own care as much as possible. They may coordinate care needs, such as meal deliveries or day-to-day care. They may also help seniors find residential care communities.

O*NET OnLine says job titles under this umbrella include:

• Advocate
• Residential care assistant
• Social services aide
• Social services assistant

The BLS projects that jobs available for social and human service assistants will grow 12% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average.

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise organizations and programs that support the well-being of the public at large, according to the BLS. These managers oversee workers who provide these services to the public, including seniors.

A social and community service manager works with the community to identify needs, oversee administrative aspects of these programs, analyze their effectiveness, seek funding, and more. While not directly involved in the day-to-day care of seniors, their coordination supports those who care for them.

These job titles come under this category, O*NET OnLine reports:

• Community services director
• Social services director
• Transitional care director

The job growth projections for this category are optimistic, with a 12% growth rate from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average, the BLS reports.

Community and Social Service Specialists

These specialists may work in local government, state government, individual and family services, and social advocacy organizations, according to the BLS. According to O*NET OnLine, job growth in this area is likely to be around 8% to 10% through 2031.

Who Is a Good Fit to Work With Seniors?

Working with seniors presents unique challenges, particularly with communication. Clients may have hearing, seeing, or cognitive issues. “Compassion is vital,” says Carter, “as is interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.”

Creative thinkers will also be needed to create new services and programs to meet the changing needs of the aging population.

Bilingual and multilingual human services professionals are especially in need due to the projected increase in minority seniors. According to the Administration for Community Living, between 2019 and 2040, the white (not Hispanic) population age 65 and older is projected to increase by 29% compared to 115% for racial and ethnic minority populations: Hispanic (161%), African American (not Hispanic) (80%), American Indian and Alaska Native (not Hispanic) (67%), and Asian American (not Hispanic) (102%).

What Degrees or Certifications Will Be Most Beneficial?

Carter says associate degrees in human services are helpful to have foundational knowledge. Those degrees can lead to careers as a case aide or social services assistant.

She says a bachelor’s degree is required for many positions when working directly with older people or in administration. A master’s degree in human services, social work, or psychology will lead to more clinical interactions with seniors and being able to work more independently.

Move Your Career Forward With Purdue Global

Purdue Global offers an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree with a concentration in gerontology that can help you along your way to a career with the elderly. Purdue Global also offers an online Human Services Certificate in Elder Care Services to help those who wish to enter the field of gerontology receive a basic foundation centered on working with the older adult population.

Working with the elderly can be a bright and satisfying career, and Purdue Global can help. Contact us today to find out more information.