Retirements and demographics combining to create strong demand for health-care workers
By Andrew Petrozzi
Projected labour shortages in the seniors-care sector are being addressed in a new collaboration between the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.
The funding, which comes from the Canada-BC Labour Market Partnership, will help implement a provincial strategy to assess and address such shortages.
"Health care has been identified by senior levels of government as one of the top job-creation sectors of the B.C. economy," said BCCPA president Christine Nidd. "By taking action to address the skills shortage in our sector, we focus on creating much-needed jobs in the future while improving the quality of seniors care in B.C."
A recent analysis of health authority-operated seniors' residential care facilities in B.C. indicates a potential shortage of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and care aides in the coming years. These projections do not include home support services or independent contracted care providers. BCCPA will receive more than $300,000 to build on the 2008-09 BC Cares seniors care aide enrolment initiative.
BCCPA CEO Ed Helfrich said: "This investment will ensure the labour needs of independent contracted care providers can be considered by the province in future human resource and education decisions. This is a first."
According to BCCPA director of PR and member services David Hurford, demand is very scattered across the province. Shortages appear to be more acute outside Metro Vancouver and the Capital Region.
"With regard to who is hiring, our surveys suggest care providers are always looking for good staff," he said. "If they are not hiring full time, they are usually looking for casual staff. Current B.C. government forecasts suggest more than 5,200 care aides and LPNs will be needed over the next decade across B.C. We expect that number will increase when we receive updated forecast data this summer."
Demographic changes are impacting the labour market more and more each year.
"One reason governments have identified health care as one of the top employment generators in the coming decade is because of the aging of our society," said Hurford.
A recent report from the Alzheimer's Society of Canada concluded that we will need to at least double the number of residential care beds for seniors in Canada over the next 25 years, he said.
"The labour needs associated with this reality are very significant."
A significant number of care aides and nurses are also retiring over the next decade.
"In fact, there are many who believe that the reason we do not have a more acute shortage in seniors' care today is because many workers delayed their retirement by a couple years due to the financial impact of the current recession. As the country's economic condition improves, we expect these people will retire and labour demand will increase significantly - and quickly."
For people interested in working in the industry, Hurford recommends they have a compassionate and caring personality and be sensitive to the needs of others, strong problem-solving skills, an ability to manage time effectively and a willingness to take responsibility and be self-directed.
"If you have a parent or loved one receiving care, get involved in the care plan, visit them regularly and get a better understanding of the realities of the job," he said of those people trying to decide if the work is right for them.
If you know people working in the health-care sector, ask them about their experience. Research training programs in your area and talk to the institution's career councillor, he suggested. Be active online and search for job openings to get a better understanding of demand. Research the legislation, regulations and standards that govern the sector. Volunteer for a local organization or health-care facility that serves seniors in your community.
Demand for its services continues to grow, according to Arif Abdulla, marketing and PR manager for Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services.
"We are projecting very rapid growth over the next few years as more and more families are turning to home care to meet their care-giving needs," he said.
Working in home care is not for everyone so it's "extremely important that Nurse Next Door only brings on those who are passionate about caring for seniors in their own homes," said Abdulla. "We do look at experience; however this is only part of the equation.
"As an industry, we are definitely seeing a demographic shift that has our labour pool struggling to keep up with the growth in our senior population. This is having a direct impact on employment opportunities."
Home care is very different from other types of care, particularly in the institutional setting, and requires a very unique set of skills, he said. Nurse Next Door does look for those people who can work relatively independently and build strong relationships with their clients.
"Home care is a demanding profession, both physically and emotionally," said Abdulla." Be sure that it is your passion before getting involved."
