Ongoing healthcare breakthroughs are helping to solve medical problems, or at least limit the symptoms attached to particular illnesses. People in Canada, like the rest of the developed world, are living far longer as a result. This growth in the senior population must be matched by a similar increase in healthcare staff, who are needed to look after the elderly in retirement homes, hospices, assisted living facilities, and other care settings.

This means that job prospects for healthcare assistants (HCAs) are excellent, and are likely to remain that way well over the coming years. Job growth in this sector is expected to be among the strongest of all occupations in the near future, and it’s projected that more job opportunities will be available than trained professionals to fill them. Let’s take a closer look at what future HCAs can expect.

Opportunities for HCAs as Baby Boomers Approach Old Age

The 2016 Census delivered plenty of interesting data about the changing demographics in the Canadian population. A 20% increase was recorded in the number of people 65 years of age and older since 2011.
This is attributed to the post-World War II baby boom, with those born in the late 1940s and early 1950s reaching retirement age in recent years. The number of Canadian centenarians has also increased by a drastic 41% since 2011. In comparison, the 40-49 years of age demographic actually decreased over that same period.

As a result, those hoping to train at healthcare assistant college should note that just under 17% of the population is now aged 65 years of age or older, and that trend is forecast to grow into the foreseeable future. The proportion of seniors in British Columbia is even higher than the national average at 18 percent. This aging population opens up lots of interesting opportunities in traditional healthcare settings, such as hospitals, and in suitable homecare settings, too.

Healthcare Services are Expanding to Deal with Higher Demand

The elevated hospital costs associated with an aging population are a concern to healthcare experts. Therefore, focus is increasingly turning towards the financial and health benefits of offering care at integrated facilities and at home. HCAs play an integral role in providing personal assistance and support services in such environments, so job prospects are excellent in this line of work.

A report on the future care of seniors by The Conference Board of Canada has highlighted the need for expansion of home and community care services. It was also found that ongoing recruitment is needed for the implementation of dementia and palliative care strategies. HCAs are needed immediately to meet this demand, so students have an excellent chance of landing a job in their field as soon as they complete HCA training.

Take Home a Good Salary after Healthcare Assistant Training

Healthcare assistants are highly sought after at the moment, and starting salaries are very competitive. According to Payscale, Graduates can expect to earn around $37,000 when first entering the workplace, with salaries increasing to around $43,000 with 5 to 10 years of experience.

This makes helping elderly people as an HCA a financially, as well as personally, rewarding experience. As demand continues to grow into the future, well-trained professionals will only become more valuable in healthcare settings, which could lead to even better prospects.

Healthcare assistant training opens up lots of exciting careers.

Develop the essential skills you need at Discovery Community College.