For individuals with a compassionate spirit, a strong work ethic and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others, senior caregiving may be the perfect career. Senior caregiving encompasses many different roles, each with different challenges and benefits.
As America’s Baby Boomers age, there is an ever-growing job market in senior care. The Institute on Aging predicts that by 2030, the United States will have 78 million people over the age of 65, and that number will only continue to grow. This job stability is one of the reasons senior caregiving may be the right fit for job seekers.
“In America, we’re afraid to talk about the last stages of life, which creates a misconception that working in senior care is depressing,” says Peter Murphy Lewis, a long-term care advocate, certified nursing assistant and executive producer of “People Worth Caring About“, a documentary examining senior caregiving made in conjunction with the Nebraska Health Care Association. “What I’ve learned is that it’s the opposite; this work is about celebrating life and creating moments of joy.
What is a senior caregiver?
“Some might think that senior care is just about medical care,” says Yelena Sokolsky, the CEO and founder of Galaxy Home Care in New York. “In practice, it’s more about companionship and emotional support while providing a sense of security for the family.”
That mission lies at the core of a number of different caregiving roles and includes a variety of tasks, such as:
- Enhancing safety around a patient’s home.
- Helping to facilitate social interactions.
- Assisting with medical appointments and care.
- Completing tasks that may be physically difficult for the patient.
While caregiving can be an incredibly rewarding job, working as a caregiver is often difficult. Many seniors require significant help with daily tasks such as toileting, showering and eating. It can also be difficult when a beloved client passes away, which inevitably happens when working with older populations. Despite these challenges, though, most people working in senior caregiving say they enjoy the work.
“It’s not always what people imagine,” says Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Healthcare Association. “It’s about connection, passion and taking care of our loved ones.”
What are the different caregiver career paths?
One of the benefits of pursuing a career in senior caregiving is the many options available under that broad umbrella. From transportation to home-based care to inpatient skilled nursing, there are many ways to have a successful career caring for seniors. Before choosing a specific path in senior care, it’s important to explore all of the options:
Companion Caregivers
Think of companion caregiving as “hands-off care.” Professionals in this role help with daily tasks for seniors such as shopping and pet care, as well as help stave off loneliness and isolation. This role does not require a specific certificate or degree.
“Some people think working in senior care is just about doing tasks like bathing or feeding, but it’s so much more. It’s about building relationships and being a part of someone’s life.”
— Gabriela Tovar, assistant wellness director, New Cassel Retirement Center
Personal Care
Like companion care, personal care is an “unskilled” care position — meaning that it does not require a specific certification. Personal care aides provide more assistance than companion caregivers. This includes tasks like dressing, bathing, assistance with toileting, and administering medications.
Certified Nursing Assistants
For those looking to advance their senior care career or start at a higher pay range, a certificate like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) might be a great fit. Most programs range from four to eight weeks in length and do not require a college degree. CNAs work in private homes, hospitals, and residential facilities. Find the CNA requirements for each state here.
Certified Home Health Aides
Like a CNA, Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs) do not need a college degree. Typical training involves 120 hours of education and 40 to 60 hours of clinical work, as well as certification by the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. CHHAs work out of people’s homes rather than in a clinical setting.
Other Caregiving Roles
While most senior care falls into one of these categories, there are other roles to consider, such as work in senior transportation, recreation and various roles at assisted living facilities.
Read more:
Is caregiving a good job?
For most senior caregivers, the work is valuable and uplifting. Here are some of the reasons why the senior care workers we spoke to love their jobs.
Caregiving is rewarding
“The smiles say it all,” says Chris, a medication aide in Nebraska. “You walk into a room, and when someone is happy to see you, it makes you feel appreciated.” Many senior caregivers we spoke to echo this sentiment — while the job is not always easy, the patients often make it worth it.
Caregiving is reliable work
While many job markets are in flux, the need for senior care is only expected to rise in the coming years, which means many senior care workers enjoy job security. There is also room for advancement. Many senior care workers begin in unskilled care positions and advance their education to take on skilled roles, such as getting a CNA or CHHA certification.
“There are big emotional and physical demands. It’s critical to keep tabs on your own self-care.”
— Yelena Sokolsky, CEO and founder, Galaxy Home Care
Caregiving is about relationships
For many senior caregivers, the role offers a unique sense of fulfillment and connection. “Some people think working in senior care is just about doing tasks like bathing or feeding, but it’s so much more,” says Gabriela Tovar, the assistant wellness director at New Cassel Retirement Center in Nebraska. “It’s about building relationships and being a part of someone’s life.”
What is a typical salary working as a caregiver?
While the salary range for senior caregiving varies by location and skill level, most senior caregivers can earn a decent living — without having to rack up educational debt to get there. Check out some average posted hourly rates for various senior caregiving roles, and use our Cost of Care calculator to look at proposed pay ranges in your area.
Current posted U.S. senior caregiver rates by role*
| Caregiving role | Average hourly rate |
| Senior caregiver | $20.29-28.91/hr |
| Companion caregiver | $20.40-$28.73/hr |
| Home Health Aide | $20.27-$28.55/hr |
| Hospice care | $21.48-$29.40/hr |
| In-home caregiver | $21.18-$28.34/hr |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | $20.42-$29.33/hr |
| Senior transportation specialist | $20.00-$28.96/hr |
What should people know before working as a caregiver?
It’s clear there are many benefits to a career in senior caregiving. It’s a rewarding and reliable field that brings many professionals satisfaction and joy. That does not mean it lacks challenges, though.
Caregiving can be tiring and thankless work at times. “Burnout can be a significant challenge,” says Sokolsky. “There are big emotional and physical demands. It’s critical to keep tabs on your own self-care.”
When working in senior care, it is also natural for beloved patients to die. This can be difficult, as most caregivers develop strong bonds with the people they care for.
It’s important to seek mental health care when you need it and strive for work-life balance. The seniors in your care matter a great deal, but it’s crucial to be able to take some time to mentally distance yourself from this important work, too.
The bottom line
There are a variety of factors that make caregiving an attractive job for job-seekers, as well as several factors to consider when choosing this career path. Senior caregiving is not the right field for everyone, but may be a perfect fit for motivated and hardworking individuals who are empathetic and caring.
“Show up with an open heart,” Tovar concludes. “This work isn’t easy, but the connection and gratitude you’ll receive make it worth it.”
