Working in Retirement Homes & Senior Living : Benefits, Finding Work and More

Navigating a career in elderly care, encompassing retirement homes, senior care, and assisted living facilities, requires a blend of compassion, skill and knowledge.

We’re going to cover the key benefits of a career in this sector, highlighting the different job types and work available, and other important work considerations.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the opportunities and challenges in elderly care, equipping you with the insights needed to make informed career decisions.

Let’s dive into the nuances of this rewarding profession.

Table of Contents

• Retirement Home vs Senior Care vs Assisted Living
• Benefits of the Career
• Different Positions to Consider
• 3 Ways for Finding Work

Retirement Home vs Senior Care vs Assisted Living

While all three of these titles and types of care sound the same, they’re not.

There are distinct differences between the three that will shape the types of jobs, roles and responsibilities and career growth opportunities for workers. That’s why it’s important we review the different environments, types of shift schedules and different roles and work for each. Let’s review.

The Living Environment

Retirement Homes

Retirement homes cater to seniors who are largely independent and do not require daily medical assistance. These facilities focus on providing a comfortable, community-oriented lifestyle.

Senior Care Facilities

These facilities provide comprehensive care, including medical and personal care, to seniors who need more assistance than those in retirement homes.

Assisted Living

Assisted living bridges the gap between retirement homes and senior care facilities, offering a blend of independence and care. It’s ideal for seniors who need assistance with daily activities but do not require intensive medical care.

Work Schedules

The types of schedules for the different home types doesn’t change that drastically and are often based on rotating shift work, with some roles requiring evening and weekends availability.

Retirement Homes

Often regular business hours, with some roles requiring weekend or evening shifts (e.g., security, event coordinators).

Senior Care Facilities & Assisted Living

Both of these facilities have very similar work schedules for their staff. It often includes shift work to provide round-the-clock care, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Types of Work

Retirement Homes

Retirement homes, also known as independent living facilities, cater to seniors who maintain a good level of independence. The types of work here focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents and ensuring smooth facility operations.

Senior Care Facilities

Senior care facilities, or skilled nursing facilities, provide comprehensive care to seniors who need more assistance. The work in these facilities is more medically oriented.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities offer a blend of independence and support, catering to seniors who require assistance with daily activities but do not need intensive medical care.

We’ll explore these positions in more detail later in the article.

Benefits of the Career

Working in a senior’s care facility, assisted living or retirement home comes withmany unique benefits, where other careers can’t compare. Let’s start with one of the biggest reasons people choose a job in this area of work.

Provide Important Care for Your Community

A career in retirement communities and senior care facilities offers the unique opportunity to provide essential care to those who need it the most. You become a vital part of a community, making a real difference in the lives of seniors. Whether it’s assisting with daily activities, providing companionship, or ensuring medication adherence, your work ensures that these individuals continue to live with dignity, respect, and joy.

Compared to a job working in a retail position, some might find this level of care to make a bigger difference in the lives of others.

Your role in these facilities extends to the broader community. By providing quality care, you help create a supportive environment that reassures families their loved ones are in good hands.

 

 

 

Stable and Growing Field

In the United States, senior care and retirement homes are seeing steady growing demand. According to the NIC MAP Market Fundamentals Data report for Q3 2023, the occupancy rate for assisted living increased by 0.9 percentage points to 82.6%.

Canada faces a much different picture with incredible increases in demand for senior care and retirement home over the coming years. Deloitte has projected that demand for long-term care is expected to reach 606,000 patients in 2031, up from 380,000 in 2019. Demand for home care will increase to about 1.8 million from 1.2 million patients.

With a proportion of the populations in North America ageing past 80+, this will only keep increasing demand for more support and work in this field.

 

 

Source

 

Diverse Career Paths

The sector offers a variety of roles, from medical and healthcare positions to administrative, support, and wellness-focused jobs. This diversity allows individuals with different skills, interests, and educational backgrounds to find a fulfilling career path that aligns with their strengths and passions. No matter the skillset.

The diverse nature of the sector provides clear pathways for career advancement, too. A big plus compared to some more ambiguous career paths. You can start in entry-level positions and progress to more specialized or managerial roles.

Let’s dive into some of those unique jobs and positions, and you’ll see how diverse this industry really is.

 

 

 

Work Where and When You Want

If you’re ready to work on your terms, and find shifts that suit your life, head to Evolia’s Shifts Board, and start your journey toward a more flexible, fulfilling work life.

Get Started FREE

 

 

Different Positions to Consider

In retirement homes and senior care homes, various positions cater to the different needs of the elderly residents. The range of jobs and positions can vary somewhat between the two types of homes due to the different levels of care they offer. Here’s a breakdown:

Retirement Home Jobs and Positions

Retirement homes, also known as independent living facilities, typically cater to seniors who are relatively independent. The staff roles in these facilities often include:

Administrative Staff

Administrative staff typically do not deal with the care of the residents living in the building. They spend time managing the payments, guests, vendors/maintenance, marketing the home, and hiring other staff for the care home. These job titles could include:

• Facility Manager/Director;
• Receptionists;
• Human Resources Personnel;
• Marketing and Sales Professionals.

Support Staff

Unlike the Administrative Staff who focus on managing the facility and its external relations, Support Staff are deeply involved in the direct, day-to-day aspects of the home’s functioning, contributing significantly to the comfort and well-being of the residents. These job titles could include:

• Maintenance Workers;
• Housekeepers;
• Laundry Staff;
• Drivers.

Health and Wellness Staff

Health and Wellness Staff are integral to promoting and maintaining the overall health and happiness of the residents. This team is dedicated to ensuring that the physical, mental, and social aspects of health are nurtured through various programs and activities.

• Fitness Coordinators;
• Activity Directors;
• Wellness Program Coordinators.

Food Services

Food Services employees play a vital role in ensuring the nutritional health and dining satisfaction of the residents. This team is not just about preparing meals, but about understanding and catering to the diverse dietary needs and preferences.

• Chefs and Cooks;
• Dietary Aides;
• Servers.

Security Personnel

This team is tasked with creating a secure and protected environment, providing peace of mind not only to the residents but also to their families and the home’s staff.

• Security Guards;
• Emergency Response Staff.

Senior Care / Assisted Living Jobs and Positions

Senior care homes and assisted living facilities have very similar staffing protocols, given their similarities in care. They provide more comprehensive care for residents who need assistance with daily activities or medical care. Their staff often includes:

Medical and Healthcare Staff

The Medical and Healthcare Staff form the backbone of the daily health and wellness services provided to the residents. This team is critical in ensuring that the medical, physical, and rehabilitative needs of the elderly are met with professionalism and care. Jobs include:

• Registered Nurses (RNs);
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs);
• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs);
• Physical Therapists;
• Occupational Therapists.

Administrative and Support Staff

Similar to retirement homes but often includes more specialized roles in resident care coordination and healthcare administration.

Food and Dietary Services

Similar to retirement homes but with additional focus on nutritional needs and dietary restrictions of residents.

Housekeeping and Maintenance

More intensive cleaning and maintenance, considering the healthcare nature of the facility.

Social Services and Life Enrichment

This team focuses on enhancing the quality of life for the elderly, ensuring they live fulfilling, engaged, and active lives within the community or home.

• Social Workers;
• Activity Directors;
• Life Enrichment Coordinators.

3 Ways for Finding Work

Senior Living Community Websites

Take a direct approach. Explore opportunities directly through senior living community websites. These websites often feature current job openings, providing potential employees with immediate access to specific roles available.

Additionally, browsing these sites offers valuable insights into the facility’s culture, values, and the types of care they specialize in, allowing candidates to gauge how well their skills and interests align with the facility’s needs.

If you’re in Canada, check out the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) site, they have resources for starting a career in this field.

Networking and Referrals

Building and engaging with a professional network within the elder care industry can uncover opportunities that might not be advertised publicly. Referrals, particularly those from current employees or industry contacts, can be incredibly beneficial.

They not only assist in gaining entry into a facility but also serve as a credible endorsement of a candidate’s skills and character. Furthermore, attending industry-specific events, conferences, and seminars is an excellent strategy for expanding one’s network. These gatherings provide a platform for meeting industry professionals, learning about new job openings, and staying updated on industry trends and developments.

Finding Work on Evolia

One of the best ways to look for work in senior living is to head over to Evolia’s flexible shift map . Designed to help you shop for your next shift and find work without the traditional job board headaches.

Step 1: ‘Shop for shifts’ that match your location and skillset

Navigate the job board by clicking on shifts to view more information, zoom in and out to find other shifts in different locations and apply in seconds.

 

 

 

Step 2: Set up your account on Evolia

Once you’ve found shifts you’ll apply for, setting up your account takes seconds.

Click on the shift you’re interested in and hit “Log in to show your interest”. From there, you can set up your account, providing basic information like your name, phone number and postal code. Or simply create a profile here.

 

 

 

Step 3: Apply in a click of a button

Avoid the annoying process of filing out hundreds of information boxes on various application sites. No need to input your resume into a job portal 3 times to apply for a single position. Sound familiar?

With Evolia, once you create your account, upload your resume, provide any other relevant information and submit your application. Easy.

 

 

 

Step 4: Track Your Applications

Keep an eye on all your applications in one central location. This feature is particularly useful when applying to multiple shifts, ensuring you stay organized and informed about your job-seeking journey.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

It’s evident that working in retirement homes, senior care, and assisted living facilities is not just a job, but a calling that demands empathy, dedication and expertise.

You are now better prepared to navigate the challenges and embrace the rewards that come with a career in elderly care.

Now, it’s time to leap into the start of a new career, and you can begin by easily finding your next shift on Evolia. Find shifts and work now.

 

 

 

Work Where and When You Want

If you’re ready to work on your terms, and find shifts that suit your life, head to Evolia’s Shifts Board, and start your journey toward a more flexible, fulfilling work life.

Get Started FREE