Even as unemployment in the U.S. continues to be at a high level, senior caregiving jobs are plentiful.
Why do senior care companies continue to hire during the economic downturn?
- The senior population is growing as the large baby boomer generation ages
- Medical advances have made it possible for people to live longer
- Medical advances that keep people alive longer also often require them to need some assistance with daily living
- Government medical care for seniors only pays for longterm care in a nursing home, not in the home
- As women have joined the workforce, they are not available to do caregiving for family members
- As technology has advanced, adult children have found it easier to move away from their hometowns
- The baby boomer generation has chosen to retire and age differently than their parents
- Longterm care insurance makes it possible to privately pay for senior caregiving services in the home
- Reverse mortgages make it possible to privately pay for senior caregiving services in the home
Professional senior care companies provide training, benefits and ongoing support for caregivers. What types of companies provide caregiving positions?
- Senior home care agencies (licensed businesses, following professional guidelines established in their state)
- Assisted living communities
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals (often staff caregivers they call "sitters" as not enough nurses to provide all the needed care)
- Hospices
Senior caregiving positions are both part-time and full-time and senior home care agencies also staff live-in caregivers who stay with a client for 3 or 4 days at a time, sleeping in the clients home and preparing meals. Companion caregivers often do not require training beyond personal experience and completion of orientation training witn a senior home care agency. Certified nursing aides, certified home health aides and personal care assistants complete classes and pass the certification exam in their state before beginning employment.
How much money do senior caregivers earn? Anywhere from $8.00 to $16.00 per hour, depending on the area of the country (New Yorkers make more than Iowans) and if the job assignment requires a certified caregiver as they are also paid more. You may apply for a caregiving position in your area and learn about the skills required on Caregiverlist's Career Center.
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