“If you’re considering a new career, one that has incredible growth opportunities as well as stability, senior living may be an option for you,” says Jayne Sallerson, Chief Operating Officer of Charter Senior Living. “Now that Baby Boomers are well into retirement age, we’re experiencing a boom – pun intended – in the industry.”
Jayne says that people are living longer, living better and are focused on keeping themselves healthy and active so they can age as well as possible. “There are many businesses within the senior living industry that are springing up in order to help meet the demands and needs of the senior class,” Jayne explains. “There are more resources than ever for seniors to find a happy and supportive environment, participate in activities that they enjoy and take care of their health better than ever before.”
For career-minded individuals, the Baby Boomer retirement offers a double bonus. Many direct care job openings are being staffed by older adults, and as they retire, they will need to be replaced – and then some. It’s estimated that nearly one-fifth of Americans will be 65 or older by 2030, which means that the direct care workforce will need to grow in order to meet future needs.
Why choose senior living as a career?
The benefits of a career in senior living can be vast. Besides the stability and growth the senior living industry can offer, it’s a job choice that can be personally, financially and emotionally rewarding on many levels. Here are just a few of the reasons why a career in senior living can be a good choice:
You make a difference in people’s lives. How many of us can say that we directly make a difference in people’s lives every day? Individuals who work with older adults are doing that by helping seniors stay healthy, age well and maintain a high quality of life. Those who work in eldercare touch the lives of people every day, whether they’re in rehabilitation, therapy, a staff member or a researcher.
You’ll have exceptional job security. As we already mentioned, there are lots of people in the United States who are becoming seniors – and that number isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. In order to help meet the needs of this demographic, there will be tremendous growth and demand in careers that involve working with seniors. By getting into this field, you can be sure that you’ll have plenty of job security, as well as opportunities to grow and move up the corporate ladder.
People of all skill levels can work in senior living. Careers in eldercare span the gamut, from part-time, entry-level positions to jobs that require formal education and a highly detailed skill set. This means that anyone, regardless of education level, can find an opportunity to work in senior living. Since many companies in the senior living industry will promote from within (firsthand experience is critical for any position), people who begin in entry-level positions can have opportunities to work their way to higher-paid and more specialized jobs.
There are many career choices. What type of career gets you excited? Would you prefer to be a researcher looking into a potential cure for Alzheimer’s disease? Would you like to help manage benefit programs designed specifically for senior adults? Or does being a physical therapist sound exciting? Perhaps you’d like to be a highly trained chef who runs the kitchens at a senior living community? There are a wide variety of career opportunities and career paths within the field of senior living, and that field will only grow and become more diverse as time goes on.
What sort of career options are available to someone in the senior living industry?
There are seemingly countless jobs and careers you could choose from. Here are just a handful:
- Working in a retirement community as a team member or an executive leader
- Becoming a Home Health Aide
- Practicing as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Choosing a career in human resources that involves working with the growing aging population
- Being employed in any position that is focused on providing quality care for older adults
Senior living is an exciting career path for anyone. As our population ages, there will be more and more opportunities to learn, experience and make a difference in the lives of older adults.
Your Journey. Your Way.
Charter Senior Living is a caring and compassionate leader within the senior living industry. Charter manages almost 40 senior living communities throughout the U.S., offering Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care services. A family-owned business with an executive team with more than 100 combined years in the senior housing industry, Charter Senior Living’s mission is to enhance the human spirit of our residents, families and employees while serving with heart, purpose and courage – and to have fun while serving. For more information about Charter Senior Living and its communities, visit www.charterseniorliving.com.