Elderly Caring for Other Elderly

Paul is 92 years old and slowed significantly by his Alzheimer’s, but when his 74 year old home caregiver arrives to get Paul out of bed, bathed and groomed, the day takes a turn for the better.  As the demand for elder care services increases, more and more families are finding a supportive lifeline in elderly caregivers—who are sometimes nearly the same age as their clients.

Direct elder care providers are on the rise around the globe.  In The Netherlands, older workers in the long-term care field almost tripled from 9.9 percent in 1993 to 26.8 percent in 2008.  Among major industrial nations, Japan’s older labor force is the largest—as of 2005, almost a third of Japan’s people age 60 and older were employed.  In some United States population segments, elders already make up the majority of elderly home care professionals.

“Older workers have a huge amount to bring to any workforce and are a vast, untapped talent in the UK labour market.  The business case is compelling…” Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] Minister, Steve Webb MP explains.  The United Kingdom’s Minister for Women, Nicky Morgan MP adds, “Experienced and mature workers are a valuable asset to the UK economy… We need to provide extra support and help employers challenge outdated perceptions to see the real strengths of this important section of the workforce.”

Home care jobs are fast growing in today’s world of ever-increasing ageing adults.  With economic uncertainties and people living longer on fixed incomes, many older workers are drawn to elderly care to supplement their retirement incomes.  And despite the physical demands and risk for injury, thousands of older individuals are finding success and fulfillment in helping other ageing adults.

“Right at Home is a leader in hiring elderly caregivers to provide home care for other elders and disabled adults,” explains Nancy Esson, Business Development and Client Services in Collingwood, Ontario.   “Active elderly caregivers offer years of work experience and a compassionate awareness of what it means to age and how to relate well with people their own age or older.

Esson notes a number of advantages to hiring elders as professional at-home caregivers:

• Personal knowledge of the ageing process.  Because of their own adjustments to ageing, elderly caregivers can empathize about the health changes and emotions their older clients are experiencing.  Elderly caregivers understand common aches and pains of ageing and this makes them all the more relatable and trustworthy to the ageing men and women they serve.

• Years of work and life experience.  Many elderly at-home care providers have weathered decades of financial, family, career and health challenges, which equip them with invaluable flexibility and resolve.  Life-tested elders are more adaptable and composed than their younger counterparts in handling on-the-job difficulties and unexpected client care issues.

• Dependability and commitment.  Older adults model consistency in showing up for work and completing tasks they are assigned.  Many adults grew up learning the value of making commitments and holding to them.  Reliable follow through is a trait of elder caregivers that increases their loyalty to ageing clients and their families.

• Common-age relational skills.  What do you remember most about growing up?  When did you first see color television?  Older loved ones often enjoy reminiscing about their lives and milestone world events they remember.  Seasoned in conversing and listening, elder at-home care providers build a natural rapport and genuine friendships with their elderly clients.

Home care agencies face higher turnover rates among younger caregivers who change jobs more frequently, often in a shift of priorities to focus on their education and children.  Because older adults tend to be more settled in their work goals and family commitments, this stability is attractive to in-home care employers like Right at Home.

“We welcome qualified elderly men and women to extend professional and personable in-home care,” Esson added.  “Elderly caregivers fit our RightCare, RightPeople approach to delivering service with excellence.  The benefits of elderly individuals caring for their peers is a win-win for all of us.”

About Right at Home Canada

With a unique approach and a higher level of quality of care, Right at Home Canada offers both non-medical and medical care to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home Canada provides the Right Care, focusing on the Right People doing the Right Things the Right Way for the Right Reason. Right at Home Canada has offices in Burlington, Oakville, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Mississauga, Hamilton, Georgian Triangle, Brampton, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Etobicoke South/West Toronto, Etobicoke North and Calgary. For more information on Right at Home Canada, visit About Right at Home Canada at www.rightathomecanada.com or contact your local office at 13 Ontario Street, Collingwood, Ontario at www.rightathomecanada.com/georgian-triangle/, 705-293-5500 or by email at [email protected]