With both the length and quality of life being extended an interesting trend seems to be emerging. We have a cohort of senior Baby Boomers alive and well who are no longer able or interested in being part of the full-time workforce. However, they are still viable and fully capable of contributing significantly to society. They are retired schoolteachers, firemen, nurses, or whatever. Furthermore, they are eager to continue working and give in some capacity. What are they to do? They find jobs as caregivers for older or less independent seniors in Bayside. Thus, retirees as caregivers, a win-win situation is born!
Post Covid Development
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article More Seniors Are Filling Labor Gaps in Elder Care. It details how the labor shortage that arose as a result of the pandemic is being alleviated by retirees stepping in to fill the gap. In fact, likely as a result of aging Baby Boomers, the 65 and older worker demographic has increased by 144% over the last two decades. As such, we have a golden opportunity to mine some of the most valuable workers.
Well Known Secret
These retirees are proving to an even larger audience what many in the homecare industry have long known. That is, older home health aides are the most reliable aides. The smart agencies have prized their more seasoned workers for a long time. They have reported them to be the most reliable and dedicated segment of their pool of workers. Now, retirees are getting in on the action and the homecare agencies are loving it.
In fact, Anita Kamiel, owner of David York Agency Home Healthcare, wrote the following in response to the Wall Street Journal article. “We have always had a preference for older aides since we too find them to be more reliable and flexible in terms of showing up to work and accepting assignments. We have found that our 50 to 60-year-old workers seem to be the sweet spot as they are still physically viable to handle the job and the clients can relate to them.”
Extra Benefits that Retirees as Caregivers Bring
Not only do retirees show more of a commitment to their jobs and charges, but they are also less encumbered by personal obligations than their younger counterparts. Moreover, they are much less likely to ‘job hop’ over money. Again, they have put in their time and many have retirement income. Still, though many do need the extra income, job satisfaction has taken the priority position. They stick with where they are happy and comfortable. In turn, this provides tremendous stability for the elderly client who is physically, if not mentally, compromised at this point. Change for them can actually be detrimental.
Ms. Kamiel goes on the relate, “Often times, these aides are the most prominent people in their lives, so it is vital for the client to feel comfortable and at ease with them. We have heard all too frequently clients complain that they have nothing to talk about with the younger aides.” These older workers can relate to their clients as they themselves begin to experience many of the same things. Loss catches up with everyone and the older caregiver can lend a truly empathetic ear. On that note, Ms. Kamiel says that David York Agency has always made it a priority to be ultra-sensitive to the issues surrounding aging. The company culture from the top down emphasizes aging with dignity.
Plain Business Sense of Retirees as Caregivers
From a managerial standpoint, the older aides take up much less of the executive staff’s time. They require much less direction and training. After all, they already know how to run a household. For Ms. Kamiel, “All these factors have made it a no brainer to refine our recruiting strategy to weigh more heavily toward attracting seniors. Between the quality of worker, satisfaction of the client, and the efficiency of the hire, the senior employee makes good business sense all the way around.”
David York Agency Homecare Can Help Seniors in Bayside
At David York Agency, we understand the many challenges and risks faced by the aging and elderly and are dedicated to providing care to support them through all of those ups and down. At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies in Bayside that provide in home healthcare services.
DYA we could provide direction as to how to manage the total care of your senior loved one. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at (718) 376-7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services would meet your needs. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
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