Hands-on Health Careers Campaign

Connecting Communities, Supporting Seniors,
and Building Futures

The Rhode Island Assisted Living Association’s Senior Living Institute (RIALA Senior Living Institute), in collaboration with its partners, the Governor’s Workforce Board of RI, RI Department of Health, RI Health Care Association, CareLink, RI LeadingAge, and RI’s assisted living communities; is pleased to launch the Hands-on Health Careers Campaign. This is a state-wide digital campaign to address the senior living workforce shortage in Rhode Island and, in turn, ensure quality care to all seniors in RI.

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.

Message from Your Legislators

US Representative Seth Magaziner, RI 2nd Congressional District 

Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi, RI House Speaker

Senator Valerie J. Lawson, RI Majority Whip

Why Assisted Living Should Be Your Next Career Move…

Often mistaken as an industry only for caregivers, assisted living is currently offering growth and opportunity to a variety of positions—from dining and guest services, to administrators and salon stylists! The Baby Boomer generation are redefining expectations of senior living. Aging quietly has become a thing of the past, and these folks are setting a new pace of active lifestyles! So, while it may not have initially been on your search radar, here are the top reasons you should be pursuing a growing career in assisted living. The communities are calling…

The Personal Bond with Residents
In one survey, assisted living employees were asked what they enjoyed the most about their job. 63% said it was caring for and relating to their residents. As one person in the survey put it, “They are the reason I come to work each day.”
The assisted living industry offers associates the opportunity to truly bond and get to know their residents. And it’s this personal, emotional bonding that is commonly regarded as the best benefit in the industry—separating them from competition and creating more fulfilling work.

The Community Environment
Working with individuals who choose to care for the needs of others fosters a warm, compassionate, and welcoming environment. The kind of socially engaged environment that inspires new career growth and rewarding experiences. Assisted living is a people-oriented industry. As opposed to working with patients for hours or days, you have the benefit of working with the same residents for years—developing and reinforcing those personal bonds. And witnessing to their progress is extremely rewarding!

The Ability to Make an Impact
Whatever your position in an assisted living community, you are providing a personal service to seniors and providing families with the peace of mind knowing that their loved one is receiving proper care and attention. Loneliness and depression can lead to social isolation, a leading cause of cognitive decline. All of this puts seniors at higher risk for developing dementia & other serious health complications. So, not only does your socialization directly impact their emotional and mental health, it can impact their physical health as well!

The Career Growth & Stability
With the Census department estimating more than 77 million citizens to be older than 65 by 2034, the assisted living industry will be an invaluable part of our economy—and one of the most stable and fastest-growing sectors in the United States. Working in assisted living offers access to specialized skills training, cutting-edge technologies, experience in supervision, and ultimately, opportunities for advancement. And despite advances, caregiving is not a job that can be outsourced or replaced with technology.

Campaign Partners and Sponsors