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What are the Different Elderly Care Jobs?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Elderly care jobs express significant range in training, scope, places of employment and duties performed. They may be taken up by people with little training or have specific education requirements that take a very long time to complete. Job availability in elder care tends to be fairly high, given the number of people who are living longer but may require a small amount to significant support as they age.

Some of the top rung elderly care jobs are offered to medical professionals. Doctors may specialize in diseases of the elderly. They are called geriatricians or may be referred to as specialists in geriatrics. Though not every elderly person needs to see a geriatrician, many people benefit from the expertise of these doctors, just as children may get more specified care when they see pediatricians. Geriatricians might work in convalescent or assistant living homes, or they could alternately have a private practice or work in standard hospitals.

Nurses care for the elderly.
Nurses care for the elderly.

Registered nurses, especially those specializing in geriatric medicine, and licensed practical nurses can also find many elderly care jobs. Some of these are in convalescent hospitals that are designed to meet needs of the elderly, and others may be in facilities that mostly treat older patients. Nurses also take hospice jobs that work with patients who are dying, and many of these may be people of advanced age. They may work as caregivers too, especially for people who have medical and other care needs at the same time.

Nutritionists may plan a specific diet for elderly patients.
Nutritionists may plan a specific diet for elderly patients.

Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) can find a number of elderly care jobs. Again, there is work in convalescent hospitals, day care facilities or assistant living facilities. CNAs frequently use their training to become home health care assistants or to be vital members of care teams in a variety of long-term facilities, respite care employment, or fully staffed senior care centers.

Some physical therapist positions could be considered elderly care jobs.
Some physical therapist positions could be considered elderly care jobs.

Home health assistants also take up many jobs of the type CNAs might hold. In particular, home health aides mostly provide care and services in the home setting. They may do this on a part time basis while primary family members work, or they could provide round the clock care. Emphasis would be less on medical care and more on fulfilling basic care requirements.

Elderly care may include providing emotional support.
Elderly care may include providing emotional support.

Other types of elderly care jobs are available in any form of facility that treats senior citizens. A number of therapists, physical and occupational, may design programs for seniors to help them maintain or recover a certain amount of function. In assisted living homes and convalescent homes, people might take on the job of activities director and plan ways to keep seniors engaged and interested in daily living. Private or small and large facilities need to handle the issue of food preparation too, and good cooking skills are needed for caregivers or in facilities where large amounts of seniors must be fed.

Elderly care may include monitoring and distributing prescription medications to seniors.
Elderly care may include monitoring and distributing prescription medications to seniors.

It’s not always possible to specify exact training or licensing required to enter into some of these fields. This tends to vary by region. Some people won’t need much training to start in elder care jobs and others might have to complete several years of schooling and get a license before beginning.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon122512

I need to know what college courses to take to qualify.

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    • Nurses care for the elderly.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Nurses care for the elderly.
    • Nutritionists may plan a specific diet for elderly patients.
      By: Monkey Business
      Nutritionists may plan a specific diet for elderly patients.
    • Some physical therapist positions could be considered elderly care jobs.
      By: gwimages
      Some physical therapist positions could be considered elderly care jobs.
    • Elderly care may include providing emotional support.
      By: Rob
      Elderly care may include providing emotional support.
    • Elderly care may include monitoring and distributing prescription medications to seniors.
      By: NorGal
      Elderly care may include monitoring and distributing prescription medications to seniors.
    • Before leaving the hospital, elderly patients often receive advice on fall prevention from geriatric nurses.
      By: spotmatikphoto
      Before leaving the hospital, elderly patients often receive advice on fall prevention from geriatric nurses.
    • Elderly care employees may visit a senior's home and offer cleaning services, such as vacuuming.
      By: vetkit
      Elderly care employees may visit a senior's home and offer cleaning services, such as vacuuming.
    • Activity workers may spend time listening to seniors and their stories.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Activity workers may spend time listening to seniors and their stories.
    • Personal aides may help the elderly to remain active.
      By: mykeyruna
      Personal aides may help the elderly to remain active.