The Caregiver Job Market
Reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predict an increase in the personal and home care aides job category, forecasting this category to be the second fastest-growing job group in the nation
over the next decade. But the rapid growth in this job group may not be fast enough. Our recent research indicates that demand for these jobs will outpace supply in a big way.
Nationwide, the personal and home care aides classification is expected to grow by more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2016, increasing from 767,000 to a projected 1.15 million jobs. The government
identifies personal and home care aides as professionals who help the elderly, disabled, ill and mentally disabled live in their own homes or in residential care facilities instead of in health facilities.
The growing number of seniors in the U.S. as well as locally is expected to help fuel this job demand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population age 65 and older is projected to double between
2000 and 2050.
We've certainly seen the needs of seniors drive the demand for our services, which in turn creates more caregiving jobs. National research conducted by Home Instead Senior Care reveals that 86 percent
of seniors want to continue living in their homes as they age. This surge in seniors at home will help fuel the demand for these new positions as well.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Economist Colleen Teixeira Moffat, who studies the occupation of personal and home care aides, said increasing health-care costs partly explain this growing demand.
"It's a lot more cost-effective to leave a hospital sooner when all a senior might need is assistance with daily activities," she said. "A visiting nurse, home health aide, and personal and home care aide
all will be cheaper than a stay in a residential care facility," she said. As a result, caregiving companies like Home Instead Senior Care are gearing up to meet this expected caregiving need.
The Next Step
Home Instead Senior Care is more than a paycheck. If you're a people-person, and have a desire to make a difference in people's
lives, please apply online now.
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