Elderly care jobs have a wide range of training, scope, locations of employment, and responsibilities. People with little training or with specific education requirements that take a long time to complete may be interested in them. Given the number of people who are living longer but may require a small amount to significant support as they age, job availability in elder care is fairly high.
Medical professionals are offered some of the highest-paying elderly care jobs. Doctors who specialize in diseases affecting the elderly are available. Geriatricians or geriatric specialists are the terms used to describe them. Though not every elderly person requires the services of a geriatrician, many do, just as children may receive more specialized care when they visit pediatricians. Geriatricians may work in convalescent or assisted living facilities, as well as in private practice or in traditional hospitals.
Many elderly care jobs are available for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, especially those who specialize in geriatric medicine. Some are in convalescent hospitals, which are designed to meet the needs of the elderly, while others may be in facilities that primarily treat the elderly. Nurses can also work in hospices, where they work with terminally ill patients, many of whom are elderly. They may also act as caregivers, particularly for people who require medical and other types of care at the same time.
CNAs (certified nurse assistants) can work in a variety of elderly care settings. Work is available in convalescent hospitals, day care centers, and assisted living facilities. CNAs frequently use their training to work as home health care assistants or as important members of care teams in long-term care facilities, respite care, or fully staffed senior care centers.
Home health aides also work in many of the same positions as CNAs. Home health aides, in particular, are primarily responsible for providing care and services in the home. They could do this part-time while the rest of the family is at work, or they could provide round-the-clock care. The focus would be on meeting basic care requirements rather than medical care.
Other types of elderly care jobs can be found in any facility that caters to the elderly. A variety of physical and occupational therapists may design programs for seniors to help them maintain or regain some function. People may take on the role of activities director in assisted living and convalescent homes, planning ways to keep seniors engaged and interested in daily activities. Private, small, and large facilities must also deal with the issue of food preparation, and caregivers and facilities with large numbers of seniors must have good cooking skills.
It’s not always possible to specify the specific training or licensing requirements for some of these occupations. This is something that varies by region. Some people will need little training to begin working in elder care, while others will need to complete several years of schooling and obtain a license before getting started.