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HomeTopics...Health Care DegreesLong Term Care
Long Term Care JobsAs the Baby Boom generation ages, the current system of nursing homes and in-home care for the elderly is slowly changing. By 2026, over 71 million Americans will be over the age of 65. With an aging populace comes the need for long term health care, creating challenges and opportunities for those working in long term care.
But what is long term care, exactly? Long term care is health care provided for a significant period of time, often for the final years of a person’s life. It can take place in a nursing home or, preferably for most patients, in the individual’s home. Assisted-living facilities in which individual apartments give privacy but assistance is available at all times are also a form of long term care.
Long term health care usually focuses on maintaining the patient’s quality of life by helping him or her function as much as possible. This can include helping patients:
Looking for a school that focuses on this subject?
Here is a list of institutions and the number of programs they offer.
By 2020, the number of Americans wanting or needing long term health care is expected to hit 12 million. Although long term care cost can be high, Baby Boomers, seeing the effects their own parents’ aging process had on their children’s lives, are still planning ahead for long term care by buying long term care insurance policies. Some even choose their own long term care facilities even before they need them. In light of both these factors, the field of long term care is expected see significant growth in the coming years.
Preparing for a Career in Long Term CareThe education requirements for nursing home administration and assisted living administration vary from state to state. In general, though, nursing home administration will require:
Nursing home administration courses, often offered through community colleges or online education institutions, are usually a little over 20 credit hours’ worth of classes. Topics covered include:
The cost for a nursing administration course can be as little as $600.
While earning a degree or certificate will greatly increase your chance of obtaining an assisted living administration position, some states only require that you be over the age of 18.
For home health-care aides the qualifications also vary. In some cases, all you need as a job applicant is the willingness to chauffeur your charges around town, helping them run errands and making sure they take medicine on time.
Registered Nurses and Doctors in Long Term CareSome long term care clients need either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse for more serious health care problems. To become a registered nurse you will need additional education and a passing grade on the NCLEX exam.
Additional education and training is also required if you want to be a doctor who specializes in caring for the elderly, also known as a geriatrician.
Long Term Care JobsAbout 20 percent of all health-care workers are employed by some type of long term care facility. In fact, there are nearly 1.4 million long term care workers employed in the United States. Jobs for administrators in the field of long term care are also available.
As a long term care worker, your pay scale will vary widely from one position to another. In 2005, direct-care workers had a median wage of about $9.56 per hour. Registered nurses who work in nursing homes make less on average than RNs who work in other environments, mostly because Medicare’s reimbursement rates are low compared with private insurance. Geriatricians make about $163,000 per year on average.
Many times working in the field of long term care is a mission as well as a job. For those who are ready to meet the need, job opportunities abound.
Do you have a program in mind?
Research different schools that offer any of the below programs with the links below. Associate's Programs
Bachelor's Programs
Master's Programs
Doctoral
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