The population is aging. In the US alone, it is estimated that by 2035 78 million people will reach retirement age. In California alone during that time, 10 million people will reach retirement age, accounting for around 23% of the population. The demand for elderly care is only going to grow and increase, which is why it is the perfect time to take advantage of the expanding industry and either start your career or even start your own business in this field. 

The best part is that the careers that can help and care for this aging population are actually very diverse. You can be an artist, an event organizer, a cook, or anything in-between and start to direct your career focus to elderly care. You could also take a more direct approach and become a nurse or an RCFE administrator. 

There are so many possibilities, so if you are interested in taking advantage of the massive number of open positions and needs that an aging population poses, these are the top ten careers to consider: 

1. Nurse 

Nurses are the backbone of the country, and they will be the backbone for any elderly care facility. This applies to every level of nurse. Elderly care facilities will need certified nursing assistants just as much as they will need APRNs who specialize in geriatric care. The good news for those currently working as nurses is that the workload is often less, with a greater emphasis on everyday care and on improving wellbeing as much as health. Nurses who work outside of the hospitals in care homes and other similar facilities also enjoy a more consistent work routine in comparison to their hospital counterparts, making it a great career move for those who want to settle in their career or who have children at home that they want to spend more time with. 

2. RCFE Administrator 

Nurses might take care of the patients in an RCFE, but it is administrators that pull everything together. An RCFE administrator oversees everything from food service, to the activities and events that the residents enjoy to hiring and training staff. They are the ones in charge of the RCFE, and a great RCFE administrator is essential for a high quality of life for elderly residents. 

It is also an excellent career option for those looking to either kickstart their career or to change careers. The requirements to earning administrative rcfe certification are relatively low, meaning that everyone can get trained and licensed in just 80 hours. 

There are different levels of RCFE administrator. The bare minimum requires you to have a high school diploma and be at least 21 years of age before starting your certification. To oversee a facility with 16 – 49 beds, you will need at least 15 college credits or alternatively have been working at an RCFE for at least 1 year. To oversee a facility with 50+ beds, you will either need 2 years of college or 3 years of RCFE experience. 

These, overall, are very easy requirements to earn, and once you do, you can start the RCFE administrator course and be ready to either be hired or even put yourself in a good position to open your own RCFE in the future.

3. Fitness Trainer 

Fitness doesn’t stop being important just because you age; in fact, it becomes more critical than ever. A fitness trainer specializing in the elderly will know exactly how to help them exercise and build strength and be there to oversee their exercises for the best results. 

You don’t legally need to be certified, but you may find it difficult to find a job without it. These certifications simply teach you how to lead or conduct accessible training modules specifically for elderly clients. You will also want to be first-aid certified and be able to perform CPR. 

4. Audiologist 

Audiologists work with hearing loss. This is a very specific healthcare position requiring an AU.D degree and a state license, but it is far more accessible than many things. You can earn certification from several institutions that will teach you all that you need to know and get you prepared for the state exam so that you can start to help the elderly with issues related to their hearing. 

5. Aging in Place Contractors 

Suppose you currently work in construction or are a contractor. In that case, a good way to future-proof your career and business is to expand your operations to include “Aging in Place” or other accessible home modification renovations. There are several courses that can help teach you on what options are available so that you can get started with expanding your clientele and your portfolio. 

6. Retirement and Lifestyle Coach 

Many people struggle with the transition from working to retirement, especially if they really committed themselves to their work life. Retirement coaches help with the transition, and act similar to other lifestyle coaches or career coaches. They are not mental health professionals but rather help their clients navigate a new life that is fulfilling and brings joy. You don’t need professional certification or a degree to do this, either, though a nonprofit will train you and give you a credential you can use globally to kickstart your career. 

7. Dietician/Nutritionist 

Eating well is just as important as regular exercise, and once again, dietary needs change as the body ages. A dietician or nutritionist specializing in the elderly can help on a client-by-client basis or work at clinics and other care facilities to plan healthy, delicious meals and monitor meal prep. 

8. Recreational Therapist 

Recreational therapists are perfect for artists or musicians who want to take their talents and put them towards social work. Recreational therapists are artists or activity organizers who put together activities and events for elderly clients, particularly those who live in an RCFE or memory centers. 

Typically you will offer a class and lead that class at your place or places of work. As you work your way up the career ladder, however, you can start to organize other recreational therapists to add new activities for your clients. 

9. Financial Planner

Finances are a big part of a successful retirement, and specializing in retirement planning and money management after your clients are retired is a great way to cater to the aging population. You will be managing investments and even facilitating downsizing. You may also be tasked to work with a lawyer to keep the will updated. Like all financial roles, you will need to be trained and certified, and therefore this option is best suited for those who are already accountants or financial advisors. 

10.  Patient Advocate 

Patient advocates work on behalf of patients to solve issues like billing mistakes or insurance coverage rejections. They can also work to find suitable clinics and care facilities for their clients as required. Advocates are often previous nurses or social workers who want to help the elderly get the best possible quality of care and experience as they age. The medical system can be very stressful, especially as one age and their cognitive abilities begin to slow. 

There is no need to have a license to be a patient advocate, however, there are credentialing programs to ensure you know what needs to be done. Having a credential can also make it easier to gain clients. 

There are so many great career opportunities available and expanding thanks to the aging population, which means you have many great choices ahead of you.

In an age where the way that we shop and spend money has changed so dramatically, it is important to be aware of the top hacks to save money. With the move online, it has become all too easy to spend online, from your phone, the laptop or simply from inside game apps, the internet can be a money grabber. Here are a few ways to maintain a budget and make savings.

Shop strategically online

Shopping online has become one of the main means of purchasing products from daily groceries to hardware and cosmetics, anything and everything can be purchased. This means that there is a wider selection of products available and as such prices can be found that will suit your budget. You do still need to shop around, and it does not need you to spend the entire day walking around and pricing the things you need – use the internet to search, compare and purchase. Prices are generally better and it’s easier to find what you are looking for, but you must shop strategically, use review forums and the available search and compare sites.

Use coupons and discount codes

Finding and using discount codes for your favorite products or shops means that you could save hundreds over the course of the year. A great place to start looking for what you need in this respect is things remembered coupon code where you could make some serious savings. Coupons and discount codes such as these are widely available, but ensure that you check the reviews and ensure that you’re visiting a genuine site.

Have the right mobile data contract

All of us have mobile phones and it is a constant expense that we need to be able to budget for. The first step towards saving in respect to your mobile phone and communication contract is to be sure that you have the right contract for your needs. Do not pay for minutes and data that you are not using, and if it’s a work phone, then ensure that the company is covering this.

No more paper statements

It is a simple way to save money and may only be a small saving, but they all add up: Requesting that all of your service providers provide you with electronic statements will save you some money and go some way to saving the planet as well.

No separate TV contract

Gone are the times when you had to have a television contract to access the latest soaps and primetime television. Today’s tech will allow you to stream direct to your flat screen for serious family entertainment. This will save you money on the additional contracts that would normally have been required.

With the constant flux in the economy, it is important to make as many savings as possible to maintain your standard of living. The way we do this has changed slightly and it is important to keep abreast of the latest ways to save money in an age when it is all too easy to spend it online.

The relationship between the U.S. and China is a critical foreign policy priority under the Biden Administration. President Biden singled China out as a substantial geopolitical test for the United States in the 21^st century. The path forward on China will require several approaches and consensus as to the same threats and challenges with China still exists. This calmer approach relative to the former Trump Administration has smoothed volatility in the stock market.

President Biden’s approach is different from former President Trump’s to address China’s numerous threats and challenges. Because of China’s escalating and growing conflicts, the Biden Administration will have to take concrete actions related to Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs on Chinese imports, reshoring critical supply chains from China to the United States. The new administration will also have to keep a close eye on cyber and currency threats. 

How Will Biden’s Approach Depart From Trump?

President Biden and his officials had purposefully interacted with allies before they approached their  Chinese counterparts. President Biden will not go it alone and instead will use a multilateral approach to China. The Biden Administration will abandon policymaking by tweet, but a deliberative process with U.S. allies will take longer. Biden will seek input from Congress. The Biden approach will focus on consensus, and this approach will also impact the allies of the United States and their future negotiations with China.

A Rocky Start

The new administration first med with their Chinese counterparts in March. After an initial session of heated arguments in front of reporters, the two sides decided to take the matter behind closed doors. There was no joint statement following the first of several meetings by the Secretary of the US Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterparts foreign affairs official Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The focus appears to be actioned by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the U.S., economic coercion toward our allies. There have been some common ground. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua met in Shanghai on April 15 and 16, 2021, and announced a joint statement. The two sides will cooperate and with other countries to tackle the climate crisis. 

The U.S. Has Been Hammering Chinese Cyber Attacks

In the spring, the U.S. Commerce Department added seven Chinese supercomputing entities to its Entity List, citing activities contrary to the national security. American companies are banned from doing business with companies on the entity list. The U.S. has also been working with Japan on several issues related to China. 

U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga committed to working together to take on the challenges from China at a joint news preference in the White House Rose Garden.

The two leaders addressed an array of geopolitical issues, including the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. In Washington, the Chinese embassy expressed strong concern to the joint statement, saying China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The Bottom Line

The upshot is that the Biden Administration is taking a different approach relative to the former Trump Administration. Biden appears to be a consensus builder and does not want to focus on One-on-one relationships. This technique will change the way business is done with China by U.S. allies. There are several key tariff issues the Biden Administration will need to tackle. While initial relations between the U.S. and China have been rocky, there are many cyber-attacks, and land grabs that the United States and China will need to work out.