On Wednesday, the Department of Labor reversed a decision that had prevented 16- and 17- year old workers from operating lifting devices that provide residents with limited mobility the assistance they need while protecting the caregiver from injury. Minors are now allowed to assist another team member, who is 18 or older, with the movement of residents if they undergo the proper training. This decision is long overdue and resulted from a bipartisan effort in the Senate where Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Thune (R-SD), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Al Franken (D-MN), Mike Johanns (R-NE), and Herb Kohl (D-WI) took a stand after they saw the ban disrupt care in Midwestern states, many of which have well developed youth training programs that offer students jobs in senior living.

Giving teenagers meaningful jobs in the senior living industry is critical for growing the workforce. Allowing teenagers to see the benefits of interacting with residents will encourage them to want to continue working in the field as a medical technician, a nurse, or any of the numerous other positions available in the senior living sector that they might not otherwise consider. Let’s also not forget the benefits residents receive from interacting with people of all ages. Today’s teenagers have a different set of experiences that distinguishes them from other generations. Sharing their unique set of experiences can add so much to a senior living community.

I would like to hear from anyone who has first-hand experience with these youth training programs or teenagers working in the senior living industry in general. Do you feel that this younger generation adds something special to your senior living community? How do you feel about the Department of Labor’s decision? blog comments powered by Disqus

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