Each month has its share of awareness-raising campaigns about pertinent issues in our society. November is widely recognized as National Diabetes Month, but it is also National Home Care and Hospice Month, where those working in home health and hospice environments are honored and celebrated as the heroes they are.
Home care is growing at a rapid pace – the home health aide profession is expected to grow by over 4 times the average job growth rate by 2022.
Why the particularly strong growth? There are a few factors that contribute to home health’s booming expansion:
Quality of Life is Increasing for Seniors
Seniors are living longer and experiencing a higher quality of life than ever before, thanks to advances in modern medicine that make managing chronic conditions possible in a home setting. Nursing homes may be appropriate for those that require constant monitoring, but for more and more seniors, staying home is a viable and more comfortable alternative.
Baby Boomers are Living Longer
The senior population is growing as baby boomers reach the age of retirement and beyond. There are more Americans that are 65 or older than there ever have been before. Between 2000 and 2010, the senior population grew more than 5% faster than the overall U.S. population. By 2030, the elderly population is expected to make up over a third of the U.S. population, a 15% jump from 2010.
This is creating a great need for home health workers and practically guarantees the growth of the industry for the next few decades.
Less Burden on Family Members
Understandably, many seniors don’t wish to burden their children with the task of caring for them as they age. The increasing availability of home care services make it an appealing option for seniors that can maintain their independence with once-daily visits from a home health provider.
Home health services are also convenient for the seniors’ children, who tend to be middle-aged and busy starting families of their own.
Flexible Schedules
The home health profession often allows those with hectic or varying schedules to arrange their workdays in a way that doesn’t interfere with their personal lives. This is in contrast to more rigid schedules that could make balancing work and personal life more difficult. Many individuals interested in the health care field might opt to explore home health for its flexibility.
The compassion and care-giving provided by home health and hospice workers is unique and irreplaceable. Perhaps the most invaluable services they offer are the relationships they build with the people they serve, and for the patients’ families, they are truly a saving grace.
