While many companies are making cutbacks to their workforce, home care is forecasted to be the second fastest growing job group in the nation over the next decade. Soon, the workforce supply may outpace the demand.

In New York state alone, the home care aide job category is expected to increase from 74,680 jobs in 2006 to 100,790 positions in 2016 - a projected 35 percent increase. The forecasted job growth is good news for people who have been hit hard by the economic downturn, which has led to a significant increase in applications at our local office. While jobs might not be immediately available, we expect that to change as economic conditions begin to improve.

The fact of the matter is that seniors want to live in their homes as long as they can. With qualified home care, their wish could become a reality.

We have seen firsthand the demand for our companionship services to increase in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington County areas over the last few years, which has fueled the demand for more caregiving jobs. As our population ages, and with increases in health care costs, advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, we anticipate this need to continue to grow. Quite frankly, it is much more cost effective to receive a few hours of home care services to assist with daily activities than for seniors to spend additional days in the hospital or seeking more costly alternative housing options.

The most important qualification for professional caregivers is a desire to work with seniors - to help them remain in their home as long as possible. Simply helping a senior with tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands or just simply providing socialization can make a world of difference to them and provide peace of mind to family members who care for them.

Professional caregiving provides a flexible part-time option for additional income or a new career in a fulfilling job field. Anyone thinking about a caregiving career should visit www.heartofacaregiver.com, where they will find important information about the industry as well as a self-assessment tool that will help them gauge whether this would be a good fit for you.

Cindy Riecker is community relations director at Home Instead Senior Care.