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There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a career, and senior care is no exception to the rule. Should you be ACLS certified? For what type of community are you best suited? Where are the most jobs available? Here are the top five things to consider before entering a senior care profession.

1. In what type of community would you like to work?

According to Linda Brenner of Woodcrest Village, an assisted living community, most senior care professionals work in either a nursing home or an assisted living community. When it comes to dealing with residents, Brenner said the main difference is independence level – nursing home residents may need more care and guidance, while assisted living residents are more independent.

"The residents in the assisted living community basically call the shots," she said. "If you go in and say,'Mrs. Brown, I'm here to help you get ready for the day,' and she says, 'I don't feel like getting up and I don't want to shower right now,' that's it. You come back later."

2. What type of job opportunities are the most prevalent?

When looking for a job in senior care, it’s important to be aware of the ever-changing job market. Due to the economic downturn, many seniors are holding off on entering assisted living communities.

"Seniors are not able to sell their homes, so therefore they don't have the income to move into a private community," Brenner said.

Brenner said there has been a rise in in-home care for seniors because of the fact that some seniors are waiting to enter assisted living communities until it's absolutely necessary.

Need-based communities are not as affected by the economy and therefore have higher employment rates. Brenner said this is because patients with conditions like dementia require more attention and care, making their enrollment in a senior community more crucial.

3. What certifications are recommended and required?

Depending on your level of employment within a senior care facility, certification requirements and recommendations will vary. Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are encouraged to become ACLS certified. When applying for a position, having an ACLS cert sets you apart from other potential job candidates, and more importantly, being ACLS certified could help you save a life.

Licensed nursing assistants are generally required to have basic life support (BLS) certification. Resident assistants may be required to have CPR and first aid certification, which is often included in on-the-job training.

4. What kind of personality do you have?

Brenner said that patience and compassion are the top requirements when working in a nursing home or an assisted living community.

"Hearing loss, mobility issues, eyesight [problems] – all of those things make it more difficult for seniors to get around and to communicate,” Brenner said.

And while employees can learn practical skills through training, compassion is one trait that a person must have on his or her own.

"My philosophy is you can teach a caring person the skills, but you can't teach a skilled person to care," she said.

5. How does working in senior care differ from other specialized areas?

Brenner said one important thing to understand about caring for seniors is that, "seniors have different needs. They look at life differently."

"Some of them don't want to be [in a senior care facility]," she added.

Although some residents require extensive care, Brenner said it is important to remember to treat them like adults with respect and dignity. Brenner also said senior care professionals should try to maintain residents' independence as much as possible, rather than taking the easy way out.

Brenner explained, "Why you would allow somebody to continue to try to do physical therapy to walk when putting him or her in a wheelchair might be safer? You need to look at that whole thing and think, 'Okay. Isn't there some dignity with risk, or risk with dignity?' Maintaining their independence is something that I think is very valuable in working with seniors."

About ACLS cert. and Health Ed Solutions

As a leader in online resources for healthcare professionals, Health Ed Solutions provides essential ACLS certification and PALS certification courses. Health Ed Solutions’ online courses were developed for healthcare professionals who are seeking initial certification or recertification.