The Rising Number of Childless Seniors Spells Opportunity for Caregivers
Caregivers have another reason to celebrate their career choice, according to a report issued this week, which forecasts a growing demand for full-time care professionals.
The U.S. Census Bureau report, An Aging World: 2008, explores trends in aging across the globe, revealing that the proportion of older people will double from 7 percent to 14 percent of the total world population in just over 30 years. This translates to long-term job security for caregivers.
“The average age of the world’s population is increasing at an unprecedented rate,” according to a U.S. Census Bureau release. “The number of people worldwide 65 and older is estimated at 506 million as of midyear 2008; by 2040, that number will hit 1.3 billion.”
Caregivers might not be surprised by the staggering projections for a growing senior population, but there’s a new twist. Many U.S. citizens who are approaching their senior years do not have children to call on to provide care.
“Twenty percent of women (ages) 40 to 44 in the United States in 2006 had no biologic children,” according to the release, which raises questions about who will one day care for this sizable group of citizens.
Seniors will increasingly count on caregiving professionals in the next 20 to 30 years. Check out the senior caregiver job description, take a practice C.N.A. test and apply for a caregiving position in your area.
Both part-time and full-time positions are available in senior care and as some seniors need around-the-clock care, many times part-time and back-up caregivers are needed for weekends and evening.
