HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — One of the most in-demand jobs in Tennessee is caregiving for the aging baby boomer population.
By 2026, there will be 98,200 direct care jobs in Tennessee, according to PHI, the institute that studies the direct care industry.
"More and more people are finding that they want to stay home," said Beth Trivett, a caregiver employed with ComForCare in Hendersonville. "They battle going to a nursing home or rehab, but for a lot of families, it is hard to take on another family member when you have so much to do."
Trivett became a caregiver six-and-a-half years ago.
"I can go to bed at night grateful that I was able to keep someone at home at least for another day," she said.
The older population is on track to outnumber children by 2035, according to the Census Bureau.
Trivett took care of her older relatives before becoming a professional caregiver. She said the transition was painless.
"Taking care of family helps you understand what it is like for other families who may be going through the same thing you're going through," she said.
If caring for other people comes naturally to you, Trivett said caregiving can be a meaningful job.
"You find out what they like, what they're able to do, what they expect of you and what you expect of them. As long as you make sure you're respecting their wishes and not coming in and trying to change everything, they become part of your family," she said.
There are a number of direct care agencies in Middle Tennessee. For job opportunities at ComForCare click here.
