An Aging America Increases Demand for Healthcare Professionals
May 31, 2017. America is getting older, not just as a country, but as a population. Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65. As Baby Boomers are aging, the demographics of the country are changing. According to the Pew Research Center, 18% of the country will be over 65 by 2030, compared to 13% in 2010. People are living longer now, too. The average life expectancy at 65 is another 18 years.
So, there are more seniors, and they are living longer. What does this mean for healthcare? It means more jobs. The elderly require significantly more healthcare than younger folks. Many older Americans stay in assisted living, where they can maintain much of their independent lives. The average length of stay in assisted living is 29 months. For nursing homes, the average stay is 28 months.
Whether seniors are living on their own, in assisted living or in nursing homes, they use medical services more frequently than younger people. So whether you’re interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant, a medical assistant, an ultrasound tech or an MRI tech, you can expect to be in more and more demand as Baby Boomers age (see https://www.bls.gov/ooh/).
Interested in a career in healthcare? Call (312) 236-9000 or email admissions@mccollege.edu to learn more about our programs today!
Sources
- Pew Research Center
- National Institute on Aging, Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being
- National Investment Center (NIC), 2010 Investment Guide
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook