Careers to Love: Highlighting Aging Services for Workforce Development Month
September is Workforce Development Month, a great time to highlight one of Pennsylvania’s most vital and rewarding career paths: aging services. Every day, professionals in this sector make a real difference in the lives of older adults, their loved ones, and the communities that support them.
Why Aging Services is a Career to Love
Aging services is not just a job; it’s a career filled with meaning, growth, and purpose. These professionals have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of their work each day, improving the health, safety, and happiness of older adults. From nurses and therapists to dietary aides, activities coordinators, social workers, and administrators, every role helps create vibrant, supportive communities for older adults.
It also provides opportunities for career growth and professional development. Many communities offer training, mentorship, and pathways to leadership roles. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to expand your skills, aging services allows you to build a fulfilling career while making a real difference.
Beyond the professional benefits, aging services is deeply rewarding on a personal level. Employees often form meaningful relationships with residents and families, witnessing milestones, celebrations, and everyday joys that few careers offer. This work combines compassion, creativity, and expertise, making it ideal for individuals who want their careers to truly matter.
The Growing Need for Aging Services Professionals
The demand for skilled professionals in aging services is expanding quickly. Pennsylvania ranks among the 10 oldest states in the nation, and by 2030, one in five residents will be age 65 or older. This demographic shift is creating unprecedented demand for care, but the workforce available to meet this need is not keeping pace. Every professional in aging services plays a role in closing this gap and ensuring older adults receive the care and support they deserve.
To address this challenge, LeadingAge PA launched the Career Center as part of the Careers to Love campaign. The Career Center is a centralized hub connecting motivated candidates with providers across healthcare, hospitality, administration, and leadership roles. Whether you’re new to aging services or an experienced professional, the Career Center makes it simple to find opportunities that match your skills and passions.
Using the Career Center benefits the entire sector. Every job posting helps strengthen the workforce pipeline, supports older adults, and ensures providers can deliver high-quality care. Proceeds from job postings go back into the LeadingAge PA Foundation’s education fund, which offers scholarships and career development support for those pursuing careers in aging services.
Take the Next Step
Building (and retaining) a talented team is critical in providing quality care. The LeadingAge PA Career Center makes it easy for providers to reach motivated candidates and highlight opportunities available.
Meanwhile, for job seekers, the platform opens doors to meaningful careers. From nursing, administration, therapy, or hospitality, each role supports the health, safety, and well-being of Pennsylvania’s older adults.
Visit CareersToLovePA.org to post opportunities, find top talent, or discover your next career in aging services. Help ensure communities across Pennsylvania have the skilled workforce they need today and in the future.