Working with older adults can be a wonderful career path for people looking to help others, make a real impact on the quality of another person’s life, and be emotionally rewarded for their efforts. Not only is specializing in caring for older adults a very rewarding career path, but it is also a growing industry. As the aging population is increasing and set to keep growing in the future, the demand for professionals that specialize in working with older adults will also increase.
With this in mind, the following guide is here to help you learn more about some of the jobs available to those who are interested in working with older adults.
A Caregiver
A caregiver is responsible for working with older adults and people who are disabled or terminally ill. It is common for a caregiver to be responsible for the safety of the patients; the caregiver will also likely help manage a patient’s medications and help with everyday tasks.
A caregiver will be required to have empathy and patients to ensure they can deal with the demands of the role. They are also required to have good communication skills so they can effectively interact with patients, their families, and medical teams.
You do not need to have a degree to work as a caregiver, although it can give you some advantages when you are applying for work. If you do not have a degree, you can study technical courses and complete on-the-job training for the role.
A Patient Advocate
A patient advocate will work to help a patient understand and navigate the healthcare industry and their treatment options. A patient advocate will also be responsible for dealing with an insurance company. It is also common for them to accompany a patient to doctor’s appointments.
To work as a patient advocate, you will need strong interpersonal communication skills. You will also need to have completed the necessary training and gained certifications.
An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner is a type of nurse partitioner that specializes in the care of older adults. The duties of an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner can be varied; for example, you can be responsible for diagnosing illnesses, treating conditions, assisting physicians, and communicating with patients.
In order to work as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, you will need to have completed an appropriate program, such as the online AGPCNP degree from UIndy.
A Physical Therapist
A physical therapist works to improve the physical health of their patients through exercises that can help build strength, conditioning, and mobility. It is common for physical therapists to work with older adults to reduce bodily pain, improve mobility, and aid recovery after the onset of an injury as a result of an accident.
To be able to work as a physical therapist, you will need to complete studies in an accredited program as set out by the commission on accreditation in physical therapy education. You will also need to have completed the necessary training and have gained the relevant state license.
