The demand for elder care and assisted living services for the elderly continues to grow thanks to increased quality of life and longer life expectancy. Working as a senior care advisor is a tremendous opportunity for anyone considering a career in a fulfilling and secure industry. Though the job requires extensive training and certification, the rewards of such a career path are numerous. If you’re considering becoming a senior care advisor or working in any position involving senior assisted living, here are some things you can expect.
Starting Your Career in Senior Care
Compassionate senior care advisors must be able to handle various challenges with empathy and kindness, but they must also have the professionalism to carry out medical and supportive tasks for seniors, each with different needs. Some assisted living facilities offer senior independent living while others focus on medical assistance and palliative care—but they all should strive to provide residents with safe, effective, and professional care.
Before you start scouting assisted living facilities where you would like to work, take time to familiarize yourself with the type of work you’ll be doing. A few things that can help you with a career in senior assisted living include:
- Volunteering. Working as a senior care advisor is a demanding job, and you need to know you can handle it before committing to a career in assisted living for senior citizens. Spend time volunteering at local retirement homes, senior centers, and assisted living facilities in your area. These organizations are always in need of extra hands, and the residents will appreciate new faces and new people to meet. Volunteer work in any type of senior assisted living organization can offer insight into your chosen path.
- Education. If you’re certain of your choice of a career in senior care, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, geriatric care, social work, or a related field is ideal. This type of background can help you get a foot in the door for a senior care advisor position or similar job, and you can grow your career from there. A master’s degree in geriatric care management or similar field can make a great first impression to a potential employer.
- Certification. The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) educates people who work with seniors and certifies them as capable and professional in their work. Achieving SCSA certification is just one step; all certified individuals must maintain industry knowledge, participate in continuing education, and display ongoing commitment to high standards of care and professional ethics.
These steps can help you start a rewarding career at a senior assisted living facility or as a senior care advisor in virtually any organization offering professional senior care services.
Elder Living Advisors provides compassionate, dignified, and professional senior care in comfortable facilities with the latest equipment and highly trained staff. The demand for new senior care advisors has never been higher, so call us today at (781)-999-3994 to learn more about what it takes to be a senior care advisor or for more information about our senior assisted living services.
Resources:
https://www.csa.us/page/AboutSCSA
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Elder-Care-Consultant
http://www.homesweethomecareinc.com/why-hire-us/certified-senior-advisor/
