Are You a Baby Boomer Looking for Work? Opportunities Abound in Healthcare Field

Baby boomers are working longer and postponing retirement for reasons that include a desire to remain engaged in the workplace, or to enlarge their retirement account, reports Forbes . The U.S. Census Bureau predicts older adults will outnumber children for the first time in American history in a few decades, which makes understanding "age-friendly industries" critical. Increasing employment for persons aged 65 and 69 in healthcare and retail trade was cited by research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. "To keep talent and attract new hires, hospitals and outpatient clinics are offering a variety of flexible work arrangements, including part-time schedules, telecommuting, and job sharing," noted longevity and diversity specialist Carol Hymowitz. "Others are rehiring retirees as contract workers." Among healthcare positions worth considering for baby boomers are medical assistants, medical billing, coding specialists, and massage therapists. For older workers desiring more income, consulting in their area of experience and expertise has much earning potential. The Small Business Administration said "consulting or contracting is a particularly attractive form of business ownership to older people — you can work anywhere, and start-up costs are low."