As the American population continues to age, there will be a strong need for more qualified candidates to fill occupational therapy jobs Arizona (Click here) in the coming years.
Every day this year, and continuing for the next 19 years, it’s expected that 10,000 people will reach the age of 65. That means that the number of people enrolled in Medicare will increase from 46 million to 80 million by 2030.
According to a recent article from TodayinOT.com, this generation of seniors will be different than those before, mainly in the way they hope to remain active. Seniors today want to live longer, work longer, travel more.
This is great news for occupational therapists, who will become more in demand as these seniors aim to remain active. Many seniors will need some help as they age, especially those who look to live at home longer.
“AARP did a survey that showed more than 80 percent of this generation wants to stay in their home as long as possible,” Carolyn Sithong, OTR/L, MS, SCENm CAPS, owner of Home For Life Designs, said. “But most houses don’t accommodate long-term living. They have stairs, narrow doorways, and bathrooms that would not work with a walker or a wheelchair.
“Aging-in-place design will be the new trendy thing to do,” she continued. “It will save them money in the long run. OTs are in a great position to consult and advocate for the home dweller.”
Seniors also want to work longer, which means many workplaces will have to be modified to meet the needs of the elderly. And aside from working and living, seniors are doing their best to stay healthy longer.
“PTs and OTs who provide a targeted service such as an exercise class that is supervised and geared toward baby boomers can secure and increase their business,” Nitin Chhoda, PT, DPT, CSCS, co-author of “Marketing for Physical Therapy Clinics,” said. “Also, developing a separate website or newsletter to offer your clients that serves baby boomer needs would do very well. Boomers are out there looking for information to help them.”