Job Outlook: Home Healthcare Job Trends for 2021
December 22 2020
Is There a Continuing Need for Home Healthcare Workers in the Year to Come?
Each day, home healthcare workers get to make a real difference in the lives of others. Home healthcare workers meet and care for a wide variety of patients with unique needs, from those recovering from an injury to early-onset Dementia patients. Each day brings something new and different, making this rewarding career path both enriching and gratifying.
Back in September, we took a look at the home healthcare job trends for 2020. But what is in store for 2021? Let’s take a look.
New Job Data Post-COVID
In the past, job seekers had the upper hand in the home healthcare workforce. However, new data from Indeed shows that job postings in the home healthcare field plummeted in April 2020. The number of job listings in the field have been slowly rising since May, but as of August 2020, job postings were still down by 20% from what they were in 2019. It is unknown if this slowdown in home healthcare job postings is due to Coronavirus-linked unemployment, which created a larger pool of job seekers allowing agencies to quickly fill open positions. Despite job postings being down on sites such as Indeed, many home care and home healthcare employers have been vocal about their hiring plans, especially in maintaining strong staffing levels even through the ongoing public health emergency. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), several healthcare jobs are part of the 20 fastest growing occupations between 2019 and 2029, including but not limited to: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Medical and Health Service Managers.
The Rise in At-Home Healthcare
Even with a slow down in posting open home healthcare positions, the demand for home-based healthcare continues to rise. There are two major reasons for this. One is that many who need healthcare are choosing home health as a safe way to receive the treatment they need during the ongoing pandemic. The other reason is due to the aging Baby Boomer population who have found that aging in place is more desirable than receiving care in a facility. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that 71.4 million people will be 65 or older in 2029, which translates to roughly 20% of the country’s population. All this translates to a greater need for home healthcare workers in order to meet the demands of everyone who requires care.
Chronic Illness in America
Chronic illness and diseases are on the rise here in America. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 6 in 10 American adults have at least one chronic disease and that 4 in 10 have two or more. Some of those top chronic illnesses include cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. As the number of people who have chronic illness goes up, so does the need for healthcare or even specialized care. This could mean that many home healthcare workers may need to specialize in a particular type of care, such as chronic pain or memory care. According to Nurse Journal, the demand for RNs with a focus on managing chronic illness will grow across all industries over the next several years.
Breaking Down the Different Home Healthcare Jobs
The BLS projects that employment in healthcare occupations overall is going to rise by 15% between 2019 and 2029. This means that about 2.4 million new jobs in the healthcare sector will be added over those 10 years, making the healthcare occupation the largest growing workforce in America. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of some of these healthcare jobs:
- Home Health Aides: These home health employees work directly with patients, often assisting them with daily living activities. The BLS estimates that this job field will grow by a whopping 34%! One reason for the increased need for home health aides is due to an increasing elderly population, many of whom suffer from chronic conditions that require more care. The job growth for home health aides is expected to increase past 2026 due to the continued growth of an aging population and their pivotal role within home healthcare agencies.
- Physical Therapists: The BLS projects that there will be a growth rate of 18% in physical therapy jobs between 2019 and 2029. This increased demand will be due to the increases in the elderly population, many of which may have chronic conditions that require treatment.
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs): These licensed nurses complete state-approved educational programs and are a critical part of many home healthcare teams. This particular type of job is expected to see a 9% increase, according to the BLS.
- Registered Nurses (RNs): RNs, are expected to see a 7% increase, according to the BLS. Because they are a pivotal part of many home healthcare agencies’ care teams and due to the increased elderly population, like home health aides, there will be an increased need for RNs over the years to come.
Conclusion
If you are ready to start your career in the home healthcare industry or you are ready to make a switch, All American offers many great benefits including a higher salary, direct deposit of your paycheck and a friendly work environment! Check out our Career page to see what open positions you can apply for today!
