[this week author Dan Taylor is our guest blogger; these are some of his past writings]
Monday, April 02, 2007
The Care Giver Shortage.....about a Million
Here's an interesting idea: What if the next 150K a year job in the 21st Century was a registered nurse? What if the next 75K a year job was a high end companion and caregiver? What if there were a waiting list for both of them and no one told you about it?
By some estimates we are short about 80,000 nurses over the next decade. Professional caregivers are even more in demand...almost 700,000 just to take take of the first wave of Boomers and their parents Just when you need the care...guess what....there may be no one there to provide it.
Here's the answer to this dilemma for you: Take a look at the health situation of your parents over the next few weeks and anticipate, all things being equal, if they wanted to stay at home while they "age in place", what kind of care would they need? Companionship, skilled nursing, non-medical assitance with daily living requirements? What about food service and transportation?
Get to know the caregiving businesses in your area like Senior's Choice, HomeInstead, Visiting Angels, or a Parent Care Specialist. Find out what their staffing is like and how soon someone could be available for your needs now or in the future? Find a medical practice that has a gerontology expert or at least someone that is focused on senior health issues. See if they are taking new patients.
One of the dangers in the next 25 years is we won't be able to access the care when we need it either at home or in a facility. The people you may have lover looked in the past few years on your way to somewhere important may be the very ones who will be able to allow you to stay in your home and that IS important.
One of the opportunties is to start putting together a business that employs just nurses, caregivers, and physican's assistants. Sounds like the prescription for the Full Employment Act for someone.
Posted by Dan Taylor
SimplyHome website
