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One of the most challenging and rewarding careers, caring for the elderly, may be just the right option for you. Of course, to know this, you need to find out everything you can about this type of career before you make your choice. Happily, that is something that the post below can help you to do. Read on to find out more. 

Range of options 

There is no one single career or job that covers all the care for the elderly. In fact, there is a range of roles that are involved in this process. These can be loosely divided into three areas, hospital care (including nursing homes), home care, and community care.

Hospital Care 

Of course, that means you need to decide which would be the most rewarding for you. Therefore, it is useful to know that those involved in hospital care, including doctors, nurses, and medical assistants, often specializing in the field of geriatric care. 

Obviously, for each career level, a different range of qualifications will be necessary, with a consultant doctor being at the very top of the field. Something that will include achieving a medical degree, as well as going through all the stages of a traineeship. 

For nurses, a degree and further regular learning are required to maintain a license. While there may be some assistant posts in a hospital setting that need just a certification course. 

Home care 

Home care for the elderly is the second option to consider here. In fact, some people find this much more rewarding because they are helping to keep the people they care for in their chosen environment. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean that qualifications and certifications are involved when it comes to elder home care. In fact, in some states, those working in the sector will need to get their RCFE certification regularly renewed. This being a process that entails at least 40 hours of online or IRL classes. 

Happily, it’s not too tricky to find RCFE classes now. Especially as they run online options, meaning you can fit in around your work and other responsibilities. Something that will enable anyone working in this sector to renew their certification for their license runs out, and they are no longer able to work. 

Community care 

Finally, don’t forget that there is often community care offered to the elderly, as well. In fact, people in this field can range from volunteers to carers, to group leaders, and even medical and mental health professionals. Although to achieve a successful career in any of these roles, you will need the correct experience and qualifications. 

Of course, the value of community care for the elderly is enormous for many reasons. The first being that it provides access to help that many older people would not be able to get or afford on their own. 

Additionally, community care in the form of day centers and groups can really help to improve the lives of those it serves. In particular, being a brilliant antidote to the social isolation of the elderly and the accompanying medical and mental health issues this can cause. Something that makes it a sound choice indeed for anyone looking for a career in this field.