Workforce

In Rhode Island and nationwide, assisted living communities play a vital role in providing a healthy, home-setting, unique senior care lifestyle while improving seniors' health outlooks.

Despite the crucial role they play, the senior living industry, both in Rhode Island and nationwide, is currently facing a workforce shortage. More than half of providers across the country have reported that their workforce shortage is either persisting or worsening. This is a particularly acute issue for assisted living communities, which are struggling to meet the demand, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the workforce shortage continues, we see a high demand for assisted living communities. A recent study reported that 23% (240,000) of Rhode Island residents were 60 years or older, a figure projected to surge to 75% (265,000) in the next 30 years (Healthy Aging Data Report, 2020). This stark shift underscores the pressing need for assisted living communities and solutions for workforce shortage as our population continues to age. Recently, Argentum projected that the U.S. would need more than 20 million new workers to care for our nation's seniors by 2040.

Workforce Projections for Senior Care

Total Senior Care Employment Trends

Total employment in the senior care industry is expected to reach 8,296,300 by 2040. This represents an increase of 2,456,800 jobs, or 42.1%, from the 2021 employment level of 5,839,500. Along with these new long-term care positions, there will be an additional 18 million job openings due to employees leaving the workforce or changing careers. Therefore, the senior care industry will need to fill over 20.2 million job openings between 2021 and 2040 (Argentum, 2024).

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Workforce

Employment in the elderly and disability services sector is projected to reach 3,624,300 by 2040. This represents an increase of 1,562,200 jobs, or 75.8%, from the 2021 employment level of 2,062,100. In addition to these new jobs, there will be an extra 7.6 million openings due to employees leaving the workforce or changing careers. Overall, the sector will need to fill over 9.1 million job openings between 2021 and 2040 (Argentum, 2024).

Senior Living Workforce Projections

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that employment in the senior living industry will increase in the coming years, though at a slower rate compared to pre-pandemic growth. Employment in this sector is expected to reach 1,181,000 by 2040, marking a 32.9% rise from 2021 levels. Along with the creation of 292,500 new jobs, there will be an additional 2.7 million job openings due to employees leaving the workforce or changing careers. In total, the senior living industry will need to address over 3 million job openings between 2021 and 2040. These figures specifically pertain to assisted living and continuing care retirement communities and do not include independent living or other senior living sectors (Argentum, 2024).

Skilled Nursing Workforce Projections

Employment in the skilled nursing industry is expected to reach 1,284,700 by 2040, reflecting a decrease of 89,900 jobs, or 6.5%, from the 2021 level of 1,374,600. Despite this decline, nearly 3.1 million job openings will arise due to employees leaving the workforce or changing careers. Consequently, the skilled nursing industry will need to fill close to 3 million job openings between 2021 and 2040 (Argentum, 2024).

Home Healthcare Workforce Projections

Employment in the home health care industry is projected to reach 2,206,300 by 2040, representing an increase of 692,000 jobs, or 45.7%, from the 2021 level of 1,514,300. Along with these new positions, there will be an additional 4.4 million job openings due to employees leaving the workforce or changing careers. Overall, the home health care industry will need to fill over 5 million job openings between 2021 and 2040 (Argentum, 2024).

Hands-on Health Careers Campaign

Through robust state-wide partnerships and collaboration with government agencies, policymakers, senior living organizations, and like-minded nonprofits, the campaign is strategically positioned to have a significant impact. This proactive approach ensures strong connections with key external and internal stakeholders, enabling us to effectively mobilize Rhode Island's job seekers towards senior living job opportunities listed on the campaign's dedicated job board.

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Partners

LEGISLATORS

RI Speaker of the House Representative Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson, Representative Seth Magaziner, and Lieutenant Governor Matos.