Senior care has become an industry! This is not news to those of us who have been in the industry for the last decade but it is interesting to actually take a step back and look at the actual growth that has occurred, even during the recession. And as the number of seniors will only continue to grow and as technology will allow for more innovative care solutions, it is interesting to review the industry growth for those growing their careers in senior care.
Senior home care services have grown by more than 40% since 2008. In addition to the franchise corporations, there are more than 1,000 independently owned senior home care agencies that have launched (entrepreneurs launching businesses on their own or corporations launching a private duty home care division). Caregiverlist has more than 3,000 of these independently owned companies as subscribers. Some are smaller than others but these are licensed senior home care agencies providing professional senior home care services.
Caregiverlist’s Employment Index highlights the growth of the senior care industry which includes the growth in senior care jobs for certified caregivers.
Senior caregiving services are rarely provided by direct-hire caregivers. This is because senior care is complicated – customized training is required along with benefits that meet national and state laws such as payroll taxes (a person caring for a senior should also be able to collect Social Security benefits, right? And have the protection of Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Unemployment Insurance since eventually a senior will indeed pass away or get better and the caregiver will need to look for a new caregiving job position).
Licensed senior care companies follow all state and federal employment laws and also provide caregiver training which is now mandated in many states such as Illinois (8 hours of training must be provided for professional caregivers each year) and New Jersey which mandates Certified Home Health Aide (C.H.H.A.) training for all caregivers working with seniors in their homes.
Caregivers deserve to be treated well – senior care can be very difficult work as you are managing both the physical care needs and the emotional care needs of the senior. Many times seniors are dealing with the deaths of their own friends and family members.
Professional senior care companies provide case managers and professional care plans. One of the reasons senior care has been moving to the home is because seniors realize that one-on-one care delivers higher quality care and Medicare does not pay for long-term care.
Requests senior care services and rates from senior home care agencies (licensed) near you and research the costs of senior care in your area on Caregiverlist, created by experienced senior care professionals. Remember that Medicare only pays for short-term nursing home stays after a major hospitalization and very low-income seniors qualify for Medicaid and you can learn about the Medicaid qualifications in your state in Caregiverlist’s By-state section.
