In the 1950s, the United States saw a population increase like it had never seen before. Soldiers returning from the atrocities and disillusionment of World War Two were eager to start families and build successful lives. Now, as the children of these inspired veterans reach their later years, we as a country are faced with more elderly citizens to care for than ever before. This will put a significant strain on social services but it also opens up a lucrative opportunity for people and companies in the home health care field.It has been said that by 2025 the United States will have an estimated 72 million people over the age of 65. That’s more people than live in the entirety of France! As these elderly people fall ill or simply experience the symptoms of age, hospitals and health care providers will have to expand to meet this increased need.The worries for this situation include everything that comes along with dramatic shifts in demographics. The United States has never had to care for this many elderly people before in the history of the country. The transition to caring for this new population will of course mean significant cultural and structural changes. As most state and local governments are already in debt, this increased need for medical care is a quandary.In contrast to these worries, there are also lots of good things that can come from this transition. Most importantly, the jobs that will be created as the health care field expands will revitalize the American economy.A trend to watch in modern health care is choosing in home care rather than sending the patient to a hospital or assisted living facility. Home health care has a plethora of emotional and physical health benefits and is usually the top choice among family members of the elderly.Because in home care requires more staff, this trend will create even more jobs in the health care field. Having a respectable field of employment with a demand for workers equal to American unemployment rates is essential to revitalizing the economy.Enough jobs, it is well and widely known, means a healthy, sustainable and resilient economy. With more people unemployed than ever before, medical work is becoming one of the chief fields of study in colleges. As baby boomers age, the medical field is promised an ever-rising demand for all sorts of care.Did you know that two-thirds of people over 65 need a caregiver to assist them in their daily activities? That means that two-thirds of the estimated 72 million senior citizens in the year 2025 will require a medical provider in their home. Many people are worried that so many people becoming elderly will bury the existing infrastructure However, if carried out correctly, the influx of job openings in home health care and other medical niches could raise the economy from the dead.

The health care industry is very broad and consists of numerous professions outside of becoming a doctor or nurse. Students interested in working in health care have many educational options to choose from. Degree programs are available online from many colleges and universities.Because the field is so broad, students choose a concentrated area to gain their education in. Becoming an epidemiologist, vascular technologist, physical trainer, wellness instructor, and much more are some professions that can be entered when students work through a health care degree program. Specific areas of instruction can include:Health EducationHealth SciencesPublic HealthOnline schooling offers students certificate programs and degrees at various levels making it possible for students to complete the correct training for their chosen field. Students should research what educational requirements exist so they understand how long schooling will take. This is essential so students finish the correct amount of schooling for their desired occupation. Some careers may only require students to complete an associate’s degree program and others may require graduate degree training. Education online allows new students and already working professionals to gain the necessary knowledge to advance within a specific health care industry.Students that want to work in the administrative side of health care have the option of entering health information technician training. Coursework centers on teaching students about the maintenance of health records. This facet of the industry is extremely important for proper health care delivery and billing. Education focuses on giving students the skills to understand medical terminology, pathophysiology, data management, and pharmacology. Online education is widely available at the associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels, which give students the knowledge to become health information technicians.Individuals that want to work more in the medical treatment side of the industry can consider enrolling in a physician assistant program. Students learn how to work alongside a physician by performing patient exams and ordering lab tests. Schooling provides students with the ability to practice medicine when supervised. Students explore numerous health care services that may include treating minor injuries, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing medications. Most online schooling opportunities are at the master’s degree level because it’s the standard educational level required for work. However, certificate and bachelors degree programs are offered to prepare students for graduate training.Other possible degree programs prepare students to teach others about good health practices and enter a variety of occupations as radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, health scientists, and nutritionists. Degree programs in public health, health education, and health science can be completed at multiple levels through online education.Health care careers are available to students that have an education. Accredited online colleges and universities offer training and students can enter a career in the industry upon completion. Full accreditation is provided to programs that offer students a quality education that will prepare them for a successful career. Agencies like the Distance Education and Training Council (http://www.detc.org) are approved to accredited online learning programs. Students should explore the many schooling options available and begin the process of entering the field.DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.