The future staff of homecare. Who are they?
We have a universal problem: there is a deficit of care workers! At the same time, older people are staying healthier much longer and want to stay active. Could active retirees be the solutions to the problem?
Active retirees are the future of homecare
The shortage of care workers causes a huge competition in the existing workforce. It's estimated that by 2040, we'll need an additional 540,000 more care worker roles than we currently have, to keep up with the demands on social care (Skills for Care, 2024).
Some suggest that we should outsource the workforce from elsewhere, but we cannot put all our hope that the birth rate or labour migration will increase. Particularly with recent shifts in UK government policy on hiring care workers from overseas. Luckily we have a silver reserve whose value is not fully understood.
There is an ageing trend, which means that the number of active retirees will grow in the next 10 years while the number of people age 25 – 34 will decline. As predicted by Neil Eastwood's Saving Social Care manifesto back in 2017, over a third of the workforce is now aged 50 or older - and its the fastest growing age group in employment (Rest Less, 2024).
Luckily we have a silver reserve whose value is not fully understood.
Who are Active Retirees?
Active retirees are people who have retired from their primary career but continue to take part in meaningful activities - both paid and unpaid - that provide them with a sense of purpose, fulfilment and social interaction (according to Visiting Angels). In the context of care work, this can mean many things.
People who have worked in healthcare before. They can be care workers who want to keep up with the social life that working provides, continue a meaningful job or finance their active life. They can also be nurses, doctors or other social workers who might want to change their career but want to stay in the care sector.
Caregivers who have cared for their family members. When you have taken care of a family member for years, you might still feel the need to help others. They are experienced and compassionate.
People changing their career in later life. As we are staying healthier and working longer than ever, it would be a miracle for someone to work for decades in the same job. Many will change their career and as care work is a meaningful job that is easy to train in, it can be a natural direction for many to take.
Experienced and motivated!
The wonderful thing about active retirees is that they are often experienced people who are also motivated. After all, not all of them need to work anymore; They could retire, but they choose to work.
This is something that a Finnish company Joiku of Life, an employment agency for retired nurses, has realised. They are an employment agency for retired nurses. that has understood the value of active retirees.
Source: Neil Eastwood, (2017). Saving social care: How to find more of the best frontline care employees and keep the ones you have.
