As the first wave of baby boomers move into their 60’s this year, opportunities will continue to arise for those offering new services for older people. Generally medical care comes to mind when you think of these services, but non-medical services continue to be on the rise in our aging population.
There are already a number of non-medical service companies available today that provide help to senior citizens who still live on their own. These services include transportation, shopping for groceries and cleaning just to name a few.
Some other specialties include:
Transition Coach
Transition coaches, are one of the latest professions that deal with helping people move into retirement. Transition Coaches work with individuals who often feel a bit anxious and restless after retirement. The specialists help retirees by helping these clients clarify goals and developing strategies for meeting them.
Aging-in-Place Specialist
These specialists help to redesign homes, so that they’re more accessible for elderly people. There are workshops available for people who are interested in learning the skills needed for this. The course teaches universal design and building techniques for making a home safer and more accessible for the elderly.
Real Estate Specialist
Current real estate agents can take a two-day online course offered by the Senior Real Estate Council to study the demographics and characteristics of the over 50 population. This course enables them to work with older people as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. They can help their clients to evaluate their situation and decide if they can modify their house or if a move is necessary. You must have patience and a desire to help older people.
Senior Move Manager
The National Association of Senior Move Managers (www.nasmm.org) estimates that there are 400 companies in the country that specialize in helping older adults move. Their services cover everything from helping their clients sort through decades worth of personal belongings to coordinating movers. They even have the new dwelling ready to move into. When the client's arrive in their new home, the pictures are even hanging on the walls! Senior Move Managers charge anywhere from $30 to $75 hourly.
Daily Money Manager
Very few young people like managing their money on a daily basis and for older adults the task can be overwhelming. So what do you do? You hire a personal money manager. Katherine DeWitt, a daily money manager from Virginia says, "I'm the missing link between your accountant, financial planner, broker, lawyer, and insurance agent." This sounds like a great idea to me. These professionals charge between $30 and $100 hour.
So, if you are considering starting a business and you like working with older people, one of these ideas might be for you. Or maybe you have an idea of your own to help the over-50 population. Check out this resource for putting together your idea.
To access the links in this article, visit www.careercalling.com/Archives.htm and read edition July 01, 2005
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