Careers Created By An Aging Population - CareerAlley

Careers Created By An Aging Population - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. As the number of retiring baby boomers increases, more senior care professionals will be required in the coming years. There are various career choices for people interested in working with seniors. The careers span from health to physical support services. Some of the careers require a minimum training to get started while other only take a professional licensing or a college degree to reach entry level. Below are some of the careers created by the increasing number of aging baby boomers: Social Workers Social workers can specialize in assisting elderly patients and their families with services such as sourcing for medical equipment, in-house and hospice care. Some social workers have specialized in metal counseling and giving support to the elderly dealing with various metal hardships such as move to a health care facility, a terminal illness, loss of a loved one, and so on. To be a social worker, a bachelors degree is usually required. Professionals with higher qualifications usually get more responsibilities and earn more. According to Salary.com, the median earnings for social workers in 2017 was over $54,000 per year. Home Health Care Personal attendants and aides provide assistance to elders at private homes, nursing homes and hospitals. These home health professionals may assist seniors with daily living functions such as cooking, bathing, shopping and other tasks that the seniors may not be able to do on their own. The professionals may also see that their patients take their prescribed medicines at the correct time and will generally check to ensure their general well-being. Home health care jobs do not require a degree. Anyone with a certificate from a community college or a high school diploma can start at entry level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the reported median earnings for professionals in this field in 2016 was $24,000 per year Physical Therapists Physical therapists can work with patients of any age. However, there are those that are specialized in giving care and treatment to elderly patients. The professionals help to rehabilitate patients with injuries and treating other mobility issues. Some of the activities of the professionals may include gently exercising the patients, helping them get back on their feet in case of injuries such as falls and so on. The therapists may work in health care institutions or visit their patients at home. The qualifications required for one to become a physical therapist are strict. Across all states, the professionals are required to have a doctoral degree. Some states have additional licensing and requirements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for physical therapists in 2016 was over $85,000 per year. Recreational Therapists Recreational therapists work to rehabilitate elderly patients and promote their general physical and mental wellbeing through games and activities. The therapists may engage in activities with the patients or may organize activities between patients, their families and other groups. The therapist generally work in nursing homes or community facilities for seniors. Therapists with additional qualifications usually get more jobs and private clients that pay higher than the industry average. The minimum qualification for recreational therapist is a bachelors degree in additional to licensing by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation. According to payscale.com, the median pay for recreational therapists in 2016 was over $52,000 per year. As more of the population ages and leaves the workforce, new careers are created in the market. Most of the careers are related to giving care to the retired elderly. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+