9781422275436

CAREERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE HELPING SENIORS

CAREERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

HELPING ANIMALS HELPING CHILDREN HELPING SENIORS HELPING THOSE IN POVERTY

HELPING THOSE WITH ADDICTIONS HELPING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

HELPING THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES HELPING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT HELPING VICTIMS

CAREERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE HELPING SENIORS

Katharine Larocque

MASON CREST PHILADELPHIA MIAMI

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Copyright © 2020 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4257-5 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4253-7 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7543-6 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress

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TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S Chapter 1: Is a Career Helping Seniors for You? ................................. 7 Chapter 2: Why Work with Seniors? ................................................ 13 Chapter 3: Volunteering and Organizations ..................................... 31 Chapter 4: Education, Training, and Qualifications...........................47 Chapter 5: Salaries, Job Outlook, and Work Satisfaction..................59 Series Glossary of Key Terms .......................................... 74 Organizations to Contact ................................................75 Internet Resources ......................................................... 76 Further Reading ............................................................. 77 Index ..............................................................................78 Author’s Biography, Picture & Video Credits ................... 80 KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more!

Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

AWARENESS OF THE CAUSE

An improved life expectancy is one of the great triumphs of the last century. On the flip side, the number of seniors needing care and health care has grown rapidly and is now a 21st-century ongoing challenge for society. Working with seniors provides many intangible rewards that you won’t discover in any other health care sector. It gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life. A career working in this field could be just for you. After all, we’re all going to be older people one day!

“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain

“The longer I live the more beautiful

“Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them

life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

in working order.” – John Quincy Adams

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CHAPTER

Most people have a worthy cause that they believe in. You can even work in this field yourself by following a career and making a difference to those in need. • Start out as a volunteer. • Seek out a personal connection in the field. • Develop an inspirational mission statement for yourself. • Find out about the education, training, and qualifications required for your chosen career. • Study job specifications of interest. Is a Career Helping Seniors for You?

• Discuss your goals with your loved ones. • Approach school counselors, charities, and organizations to obtain advice.

7

DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS The place of senior citizens in society is set to change markedly in the future as people live longer. An aging population means that people are likely to work longer. This chart looks a the rise in the elderly population and elderly in the workplace. AGING IN THE UNITED STATES “The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history,” said Jonathan Vespa, a demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. “By 2035, there will be 78.0 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.7 million (previously 76.4 million) under the age of 18.” AWARENESS OF THE CAUSE

ORGANIZATIONS FOR HELPING SENIORS 1. AARP 2. National Council on Aging 3. CARIE (Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly) 4. Justice in Aging 5. Senior Medicare Patrol 6. Administration on Aging 7. LASPD (Legal Advocates for Seniors and People with Disabilities) 8. Alzheimer’s Association 9. Pension Rights Center 10. American Society on Aging

The population over 65 in 2060 is projected to rise to 98 million, a rise of 24% almost doubling

In the United States there are 46 million people over 65 making up 15% of the population

Today 38% of the population over 65 is in the workforce

The population of over 65 in the workforce is projected to rise 47% in 2022

POPULATION PROJECTION

WORKING POPULATION

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POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS •

DID YOU KNOW? • Obesity rates among older adults have been increasing. • There are wide economic disparities across different population subgroups. • More older adults are divorced compared with previous generations. • The aging of the baby boom generation could fuel a 75 percent increase in the number of Americans ages 65 and older requiring nursing home care. • Demand for elder care will also be fueled by a steep rise in the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. The gender gap in life expectancy is narrowing. In 1990, there was a seven-year gap in life expectancy between men and women. Today, this gap had narrowed to less than five years (76.4 years versus 81.2 years). • The poverty rate for Americans ages 65 and older has dropped sharply during the past 50 years, from nearly 30 percent in 1966 to 10 percent today. Education levels are increasing. Among people ages 65 and older in 1965, only 5 percent had completed a bachelor’s degree or more. Today, this share has risen to 25 percent. • Average U.S. life expectancy increased from 68 years in 1950 to 79 years today, in large part due to the reduction in mortality at older ages. •

Source: Population Reference Bureau .

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AWARENESS OF THE CAUSE

6

1

Health Care Professionals

Care Homes

WHO HELPS SENIORS IN NEED?

Family and Friends

5

2

Charities

Support Organizations

Helplines

4

3

WHAT DO SENIORS NEED FROM SOCIETY? • Practical help • Information and advice • Financial support • Care home places • Assisted living places

• Friendship • Health care • Emotional support

• Physical activities • Mental stimulation

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THE BENEFITS OF HELPING OTHERS

A HEALTHY HEART A recent study found that there is a significant correlation between helping others and the heart’s health. It was found that people who volunteer are about 40 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure as compared to those who do not volunteer. REDUCE STRESS T he act of helping others can also help reduce stress. Research shows that people who help others have lower cortisol levels. The presence of this hormone in the body causes it to create feelings of anxiety and panic, which can lead to higher blood pressure levels. People who do less for others have a higher level of the stress hormone in their body. A SENSE OF PURPOSE Giving to others provides a sense of purpose to an individual. People who volunteer for a cause feel that their life is worthwhile and satisfying. This ultimately leads to improved physical and emotional health.

HELPING OTHERS MAKES YOU HAPPY According to research, people who engage in acts of kindness and giving are happier in general as compared to others. Acts of kindness carried out regularly or even once a week can lead to greater happiness and joy in life. EMOTIONAL HEALTH Studies have also shown that the act of charity results in emotional well- being. The person who gives to charity feels improved self-esteem. This gives a feeling of satisfaction to the individual. In a way, giving to others allows the individual to create a “kindness bank account.” The more kind acts are filled in the account, the better the emotional state of the person.

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ASSISTED LIVING The first assisted living facility opened in the United States in 1981. This was monumental in providing a continuum of care for seniors and revolutionized how seniors could transition from home to a care facility. Assisted living facilities provide care for seniors who no longer feel safe living independently at home but who don’t qualify for the care provided in a nursing home. Karen Brown Wilson, PhD, who has studied the evolution of assisted living facilities since the early 1980s, wrote: “Like many responses to social conditions, political forces, and economics, assisted living developed on an ad hoc basis. The model seemed to work, it was appealing on its face, and, most important, it responded to a current ailment.”

Assisted living enables older people to live relatively independently in a housing facility. However, they can call for help or assistance when required.

HELPING SENIORS 12

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

assisted living: a housing facility that provides meals, housing, and assistance whenever necessary for individuals who no longer feel safe living at home alone dementia: an overall term describing a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills that are severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities

hospice: an agency providing services for individuals who are at the end of their life and need care to make them comfortable

CHAPTER

Why Work with Seniors?

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION WHEN WORKING WITH SENIORS There are many jobs to consider when you are interested in helping seniors. Each type of career has specific training criteria, even when the overall goal of employment is helping seniors. Whether you want to be in administration, provide direct care, specialize in rehabilitation, or support seniors at the end of their life, now we’ll look at what the specific job titles mean, how you will be helping seniors, and how to obtain the training necessary to get the job you want. SOCIAL WORK AND ELDER SERVICES Social workers often provide case management services for seniors, either in the home or in a facility. Each state has specific criteria for

WHY WORK WITH SENIORS? 13

THE BABY BOOMERS ARE AGING

licensing social workers, so it’s important to check with your state board to see what the exact qualifications are. In general, getting a bachelor’s degree in sociology is a great start. Some people work as case managers at this level but are not able to provide individual therapy. Many go on to earn a master’s degree in social work in order to further increase their options and responsibilities in the social work field. Today’s aging population means that a large number of baby boomers are getting ready to retire, creating a huge need for senior care providers throughout the United States. The term “baby boomer” refers to people born between 1946 and 1964. After World War II, there was a large increase in the number of babies being born, which became the baby boomer generation.

The population is broken up into six generations. The baby boomers and builders fall into the seniors category.

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HELPING SENIORS

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