10 Health Care Sectors with the Largest Share of Retirement-Age Workers
Top 10 Healthcare Sectors with the Most Retirement-Age Staff
As time goes by, the average age of the U.S. population is steadily increasing—not just every Independence Day. The nation is recognized as one that's aging rapidly, according to a group advocating for the well-being of older individuals. By 2030, one in five U.S. citizens will be 65 or older, marking a historic size in the elder population. This trend presents challenges for social services accustomed to serving fewer elderly people, particularly in healthcare.
As more individuals reach old age, the need for in-home long-term care has surged. Older citizens prefer receiving long-term care at home instead of moving into nursing homes. A 2023 study by a postdoctoral researcher and a medicine professor found that from 2008 to 2019, over 1.2 million more Medicaid patients opted for home care, a trend likely to continue post-COVID-19. This rising demand has created a predicament, with fewer home care workers available to meet the need.
The aging U.S. population also means an older workforce, with many healthcare workers nearing retirement, causing shortages of essential doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. Reports indicate that to maintain current patient-to-provider ratios, the U.S. must recruit and train 17,000 more primary care doctors, 12,000 dental professionals, and 8,200 mental health practitioners. Given the current influx of healthcare professionals, the nation is unprepared to serve its aging populace or handle public health emergencies like pandemics.
Efforts are underway to recruit more healthcare workers. A Senate Committee is collaborating with historically Black colleges to expand the healthcare workforce, focusing on Black and brown professionals who are underrepresented among doctors. Additionally, more states now allow legally responsible relatives to become paid caregivers, increasing from 36 states in 2020. Pay rates have also risen to retain existing healthcare staff.
The healthcare sector itself is adjusting internally to accommodate older employees. Some systems offer shorter shifts and flexible schedules to help workers experiencing fatigue and burnout. Seasonal schedules, weekend-only shifts, and contract roles are becoming more widespread. These measures aim to retain experienced workers.
To examine the impact of America's aging workforce on healthcare, Bureau of Labor Statistics data ranked medical sectors by employees aged 65 and older. The analysis covers areas like dentistry, nursing, physicians, residential care, and chiropractors. Continue reading to see which industries are most affected by an aging workforce and in need of new hires.
#10. Psychiatric and substance use hospitals – 81,000 workers in 2022, with 3,000 (3.7%) aged 65 and older #9. Hospitals – 7,248,000 workers in 2022, with 359,000 (5.0%) aged 65 and older #8. Outpatient care centers – 2,160,000 workers in 2022, with 126,000 (5.8%) aged 65 and older #7. Dental practices – 960,000 workers in 2022, with 59,000 (6.1%) aged 65 and older #6. Nursing homes – 1,280,000 workers in 2022, with 93,000 (7.3%) aged 65 and older #5. Residential care homes – 874,000 workers in 2022, with 65,000 (7.4%) aged 65 and older #4. Doctors' offices – 1,631,000 workers in 2022, with 131,000 (8.0%) aged 65 and older #3. Home health care – 1,459,000 workers in 2022, with 140,000 (9.6%) aged 65 and older #2. Optometry offices – 148,000 workers in 2022, with 18,000 (12.2%) aged 65 and older #1. Chiropractic offices – 139,000 workers in 2022, with 22,000 (15.8%) aged 65 and older
