Allied health means you get to travel to fantastic new locations, always advancing your career and growing your professional network. No matter what your specialty, finding your next position is invigorating – even when the work becomes difficult. Sure, it’s easy to pick exotic locations and states with much to offer younger crowds, but sometimes you can gain more by relocating to one of the many long-term care facilities found throughout the U.S.
Although working with seniors may not always be your first choice, providing your services to any number of long-term care facilities, rehab centers, continuing care communities, among others can help you gain a ton of new experience and skills. By the year 2060, the number of senior citizens in the U.S. is projected to reach around 92 million, over twice of what it is today! Not only will you build a stronger resume, but you’ll also gain a greater respect for the process of aging.
Working at a long-term care facility has a range of benefits for allied health professionals!
5 Ways Long-Term Care Facilities Benefit Allied Health Pros
1. You’ll get to bond with people
Residents of long-term care facilities typically live there for extended periods of time, ranging from several weeks to months and years. Unlike other settings where patients might seek therapy in brief sessions, elderly people often require consistent daily care. This will give you a great opportunity to really get to know your patients, and most likely their family members too. When traveling, it helps to have some familiar faces to stay grounded while you work.
2. Older adults have much to give
The world has changed a lot since the earlier half of the last century – our seniors still have that unique perspective inside of them. By talking to patients and getting to know their stories, we can learn a lot about how things progress and lessons that are timeless. Sure we can take to the internet to glimpse the past, but there’s something to be valued in the first-hand knowledge and wisdom our seniors have to offer.
3. You’ll be appreciated
Working with older people can, at times, be very challenging and even difficult emotionally. Maintaining senior health and mobility means people have a path to happiness, and you’ll get to take pride in knowing you made that possible. There’s a lot of hard work involved, but your services won’t go unnoticed whether by the patients themselves or your team.
4. Gaining respect for aging is key
Sooner or later, we’ll all see a similar stage in life should we progress to seniority. Learning what truly works and what does not for senior therapy options will only serve to inform your own aging process and that of loved ones. On that note, you’ll likely find yourself acting as an advocate for your senior patients, especially those who are unable to care for themselves or depend on your services.
5. You’ll be part of a great team
Allied health professionals are already the type who have a passion for helping others – long-term care facilities just amplify that passion! Working in senior rehabilitation and other related fields, you’ll encounter some of the most empathetic and caring professionals out there. It’s not always easy to work in geriatric care, but a great team can really help you grow and contribute to a productive environment.
If these 5 reasons sound like enough to make you consider allied health positions in long-term care facilities, our job here is done… and yours may just be getting started!
