Five Reasons to Choose a Job in Assisted Living
There are hundreds of career paths to choose from. One that sometimes is overlooked is the industry of aging services called “senior living.” For most, choosing to work in the senior living industry is the most rewarding and fulfilling career choice.
Even within the industry, there are many types of jobs with each level of care. In assisted living, oftentimes older adults have moved to a community after a health event such as a fall, surgery or other factor. A community setting allows seniors to maintain their independence while enjoying a safe and enjoyable environment alongside their peers. These residents also require help with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). There are many rewards in working alongside seniors in their new homes. First, it’s an opportunity to help others, but there are additional advantages to a career in a retirement community that you may not have considered.
1. Serving an Active and Aging Population
Did you know that:
- Over 50% of people living in assisted living are over age 85.
- Between 2020 and 2050 the number of adults over age 80 is expected to triple.
Even though the population is aging at an accelerated rate, seniors are also more active than ever before! One in six people in your community will be older than age 65 by 2030.
You may be interested in being part of the movement to support this growing number of seniors, but wondering “where are the assisted living jobs near me?” If you live in Middle Tennessee and want to be of service close to home, then you’ve found an excellent opportunity at Hearthside Senior Living.
Located about 25 miles east of Nashville, in Lebanon, TN, Hearthside offers comfortable, accessible and maintenance-free accommodations including care for those that need extra assistance. That’s where you as a future team member come in—as a provider of skilled and personalized services that benefit others in your community.
2. Experiencing True Teamwork
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and other assisted living jobs are an integral part of an interdisciplinary team. The team is made up of members with different skill sets and responsibilities, but have a common goal. That initiative is working together to elevate the living experience for residents to its highest potential.
Through this shared commitment, respect and confidence grow. Team members learn to recognize one another’s contributions to the community’s well-being, security and longevity. This is how trust is established.
3. Finding Meaning and Purpose
Whether you are looking for a job as a CNA or direct care worker or are interested in a position in community maintenance or food or environmental services, finding purpose in what you do matters.
Working in assisted living means an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life…every day. Communities such as Hearthside want team members who are motivated by this idea. Being able to co-create a work environment that feels like family is key to job satisfaction, and is why workers stay in senior care positions.
4. Improving Care Outcomes
From the Journal of Aging Studies in 2009, care professionals shared that the “emotional aspect of caregiving provides meaning…through both the satisfaction inherent in relationships and through the effect of relationships on care outcomes.”
What are these care outcomes and how do they improve through connections with assisted living residents?
Relationships outside our own age group encourage intergenerational learning. They also offer the chance for seniors to practice generativity.
“Generativity is the (natural tendency) and willingness to engage in acts that promote the wellbeing of younger generations as a way of ensuring the long-term survival of the species.” -The Psychology of Mattering
The freedom to express oneself openly and share life’s lessons is fulfilling to people, especially in later life. According to science, this opportunity satisfies a developmental goal – to feel valued by having influence and passing on wisdom. The outcome of listening to and engaging in thoughtful interactions with seniors not only can improve loneliness but also
- Quality of life.
- Mood/motivation.
- Functional status.
5. Gaining Marketable Job Skills
As a caregiver, nursing, dining services, or hospitality team member in assisted living you might spend your morning helping residents with ADL’s and then accompany them to lunch. In the afternoon, you might participate or help lead in wellness-related activities or help residents move from their apartment to the activities room.. Evenings might include assisting frail residents with nighttime routines, grooming, bathing, or preparing for rest.
Because of these important contributions, you will build confidence and sought-after job skills. These might include:
- Professional team building
- Personal care and companion competencies
- Medical records training
- Time management strategies
- Scheduling and transportation coordination
A job in assisted living is a gateway to establishing a career full of purpose and meaningful interactions with others. You’ll share your unique talents within a positive community that is dedicated to caring for its residents. Contact Hearthside to join the team!
