The importance of the health care sector to the U.S. economy and to employment is well-known. Much less well-known is the pivotal role of eldercare/disability services in creating jobs and economic growth opportunities, and the fact that direct-care jobs constitute the employment core of this industry — not doctors, nurses, or social workers.

What are eldercare/disability services?

People with functional limitations due to aging, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or chronic diseases need assistance with basic daily living activities. These services and supports are delivered in a continuum of settings spanning nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities, group homes, day programs, and the consumer’s home or workplace.

Eldercare/disability services: Leading employment growth industry

• The eldercare/disability services industry employs more people than nearly any other industry in the country.
• The eldercare/disability services industry already comprises a third of total employment in the U.S. health care and health assistance sector–approximately 4.9 million jobs out of the 15.3 million jobs.
• Jobs in eldercare/disability services are expected to increase by 32% by 2018, outpacing job growth in health care and health assistance (24%), and far outpacing job growth in the economy overall–10%.
• The eldercare/disability services industry is expected to generate over 40% of all new jobs in the health care and health assistance sector from 2008 to 2018, or 1.6 million out of the 3.7 million new jobs projected.