Young Americans are increasingly choosing unconventional career options beyond mundane ones. The reason is that they want better work-life balance, job satisfaction, shorter roadmaps, and long-term prospects that seldom come with the 9 to 5 jobs.
Consider the example of the healthcare field. You may find fewer people choosing to become doctors and more of them opting for unique alternatives such as home caregivers, therapists, and diagnostic technicians.
Assisted living is a popular choice for Americans, with statistics showing that the country has 30,600 assisted living communities with millions of beds. As of January 2023, the sector had 478,500 total employees.
Also, one-fifth of the 1.46 million full-time nursing workers and 35,000 social workers in long-term care are employed full-time in assisted living communities. Glassdoor surveys show that the salary of these professionals in the US averages $45600 per year.
While the numbers are encouraging enough, there are more reasons to explore a career in this domain. Let us highlight the benefits of joining the industry.
Table of Contents
Long-Term Job Security
According to the US Census Bureau, all the baby boomers in the country will be 65 years or older within the next decade. With this growth in aging numbers, the demand for senior caregivers will likely continue to grow in the future. There is a severe shortage in the industry right now, with 70% of assisted living providers reporting it as of 2023 surveys.
Undoubtedly, you can expect long-term security in the sector, even as other industries like retail and hospitality face fluctuations. Senior care jobs are recession-proof because aging residents require care, and nursing homes and communities need professionals to run seamlessly, regardless of the economic situation.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Besides working in an assisted living facility, you can explore lucrative entrepreneurship opportunities in the industry. Even in states like California, with a relatively higher number of facilities, there is always room for more.
Assisted Living Education notes that the aging population over 65 years in California is projected to cross the 10,000,000 mark by 2036. That spells massive demand in the coming decade.
You can make the most of the boom by joining the industry sooner than later. All you need to do to launch a venture is to get an assisted living license and have a viable business plan.
Acquiring a license requires a series of steps, such as having a secure physical space, hiring a qualified team, training your staff, and addressing some safety guidelines. Once you have a setup in place, you need to market it and build your reputation with service excellence.
Strong Networking
According to statistics, 79% of professionals consider networking the mainstay of career success, regardless of the industry. Assisted living as a career or business offers extensive networking opportunities to employees and business owners. Beyond being communities for residents, these facilities are communities for the caregiver teams.
As an employee, you have a chance to make fulfilling connections with the residents you serve. You may even get valuable inspiration and life lessons from these people who carry rich experiences. These help personally and professionally.
Facility owners foster relationships with the families of residents and the community as a whole. They also get word-of-mouth recommendations because people are happy to spread the word when it comes to the quality of care they get in healthcare settings.
Making a Difference
A career in assisted living also checks a few boxes for aspiring professionals looking to make a difference in the community. From helping seniors enjoy a high quality of life to making a direct impact on the community, there are several ways it lets you contribute to a bigger goal.
You can also enjoy a high income, respect, and a positive outlook. Not surprisingly, nursing home care workers in the US report moderate to high levels of job satisfaction
Working with patients and residents can give you a sense of meaning while developing a healthcare career. You feel good about enriching lives by bringing safety and responsive care to a vulnerable age group.
While doing so, you embrace positive personality traits such as patience, courtesy, and empathy. These emotional factors make assisted living a well-rounded career.
Summing Up
Working as an assisted living professional is rewarding in every sense, from paying well to providing emotional satisfaction and ensuring long-term growth and stability. But professionals require a high level of empathy and a service-focused mindset to make it big in the industry. Education and training are equally vital. While building a career in the field might seem like a lot of work, every ounce of effort invested is worthwhile.