Our average life expectancy is greater than ever. Already in the United States there are more than 33 million Americans age 65 and over. Add to that the peak wave of baby boomers who recently hit retirement age, and more than 55 million people, or 16.8% of the U.S. population, is in retirement. By 2030, the number of adults over age 65 will outnumber children for the first time in history.
These changing demographics mean means even greater demand for products and services that address this population's needs — which translates into a wealth of opportunities for you to build a meaningful career.
“There are so many potential, multidisciplinary jobs working with older adults,” says Nancy Hooyman, professor emeritus of gerontology in the UW School of Social Work and former director of the Certificate in Gerontology. “The opportunities are broad, and that’s what makes it so exciting.”
Careers in Health Care and Social Services
Just because life expectancy is on the rise doesn’t mean we’re escaping health issues. As we live longer, we may also live longer with an array of chronic health conditions. That means there’s an increased need for health care and social service professionals who specialize in working with older adults.
If you’re interested in nursing, physical therapy or social work, you already know these services are essential for seniors. Social workers, with their holistic training and person-centered approach, are also needed to meet the growing needs of an aging population. These include assessment and care planning, resource navigation, advocacy, counseling and therapy, and collaboration with healthcare teams.
Older adults and their families also need help navigating medical and insurance systems, as well as managing their finances.
“That piece of the puzzle has been missing,” notes Bonnie Shultz, associate clinical professor in the UW School of Social Work. “We have a health care system that is fragmented, and as people are living with chronic illnesses, it becomes important to find ways to help them maneuver through the system.”
This is where people like guardians come in. Guardians are decision makers. They step in to make important medical and personal decisions for older adults. At the heart of this role, Shultz says, is the goal to be an advocate for the people you work with — to help them get the best care possible.
“It’s a human being helping another human being,” Shultz says. “This is a great service.”
Jobs Outside the Box
Looking for a career outside the health care and social services fields? There’s a slew of other ways you can serve older adults with your work. You might provide business and financial services, or offer recreation and entertainment options for seniors. You could work on tech devices or other products designed with the needs of older adults in mind, or fill the growing need for private case managers who can support older adults who want to remain living in their homes.
“People often create their own positions in a setting that one might not think of at first,” Hooyman explains. For example, some graduates of the Certificate in Gerontology have put their newfound skills to work at financial institutions and other corporations. One gerontology grad was hired by the Seattle Public Library to do programming for older adults. In the end, Hooyman says, if you have the knowledge and skills to work with older adults or develop products for them, almost any career can include serving this growing population.
Bright Career Outlook
Fast forward to 2050. The number of people over age 65 is expected to be almost double what it is today, according to a U.S. Census report. Not surprisingly, this jump is the main driver behind the job growth you can expect to see in fields that serve this population.
Opportunities in professions that have long served older adults, such as nursing and social work, are already growing at a faster-than-average rate. According to O*NET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for social workers will grow 6% nationally, from 2023-2033.
Washington state is particularly rich in services and support for older adults and caregivers, ranking second in the nation in a 2023 scorecard published jointly by the AARP, The Commonwealth Fund, The John A Hartford Foundation and The SCAN Foundation.
“Washington is a great place to grow old,” Hooyman notes. “So it’s a great environment to find jobs in aging.”
Getting Up to Speed for Your Career
Interested in a career serving older adults? UW Professional & Continuing Education offers several programs that can help you start or advance your career.