Paths with Purpose:

Aging service professionals share what led them to answer the call to care.

March is Careers in Aging Month and a chance to shine a light on the people who make a difference in the lives of older adults every day. In this issue of Reach, we introduce three aging professionals with very different career paths who share a common commitment to supporting dignity, independence, and quality of life as we age. Through their stories, you’ll get a closer look at the diverse opportunities this field has to offer, and the passion that drives those who serve older adults and their families.

Anita Randolph

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Assistant Program Manager, Howard County Office on Aging & Independence

Anita works for the Howard County SHIP office helping older adults navigate Medicare, and was recently accepted into the American Society on Aging’s RISE fellowship program where she plans to advance social justice for older adults. Her career in aging grew from curiosity while working in customer service at a Medicare call center. She would listen intently to the needs and concerns of beneficiaries and their family members and help in every way that she could, but would often wonder how they were doing long after the conversation was over. That curiosity led to other positions in aging services, including helping older adults with Medicare appeals, health insurance advocacy, community health work, and care coordination.

Anita highly recommends a career in aging for the variety it offers and the job security that comes from working in an industry that is always growing. She also values the insight that working with older adults provides. “It gives us a glimpse into what our future may hold while allowing us an opportunity to contribute in shaping better, more compassionate services for ourselves and the generations that will follow,” she said.

Jie Chen

Chair and Professor, Health Policy and Management, University of Maryland School of Public Health

In addition to her role as Professor and Chair, Dr. Chen also serves as Director for the UMD Center on Aging and leads the NIH-funded Center for SUNSHINE, where she is dedicated to developing evidence-based health, economic, and social policies intended to make a real impact in the lives of older adults, and build more resilient communities. Working collaboratively across disciplines to inform a more connected approach, she believes that prioritizing person-centered care is fundamental in supporting the overall wellbeing of older adults and improving healthy longevity.

With more than 22 years of experience and over 200 scholarly publications, Dr. Chen draws inspiration from the positive and generous nature of the older adult community she serves. She sees tremendous opportunity to advance resilient aging through research that examines how coordinated systems of care can improve conditions of social isolation, close gaps in care needs, and reduce caregiver burden. “I believe all older adults should have easy access to affordable, coordinated care and strong social support,” she said. “At this moment, with growing attention to aging and new opportunities from innovation, we have a real chance to bring health care and social services together, and improve people’s lives in ways that are healthier, happier, more independent, and longer.”

Libby Shadis

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, ApogeeCare

Libby has over 27 years of experience caring for older adults across the full spectrum of health care, including primary care, skilled nursing, assisted living, and acute care settings. She currently works at ApogeeCare, providing comprehensive geriatric assessments in the Emergency department to support safe transitions from hospital to home, or other health care settings based on the patient’s wants and needs.

Passionate about improving health outcomes for older adults, Libby prioritizes age-friendly practices and interdisciplinary collaborations that improve transitions across care settings. She highly recommends a career in aging services as one of the most meaningful and rewarding fields in the health care industry. “Each older adult I care for is, in many ways, a living history book,” she said. “Their experiences, wisdom, and stories, about their childhood, careers, families, and travels, offer an invaluable perspective that I find both inspiring and humbling. Building relationships with this population and honoring their lived experiences is what ultimately drew me to, and keeps me dedicated to, the field of aging.”

A Call to Action for Aging Service Professionals

Adults age 65 and older are about to outnumber children under 18 in the United States for the first time, a demographic shift that will place unprecedented demand on a workforce already facing significant shortages. Building and sustaining a strong talent pipeline in aging services isn’t just a workforce issue—it’s a community imperative. Whether through direct care, health care, social services, or policy, investing in the next generation of aging professionals ensures that all of us have a future to look forward to. If you’re interested in advancing careers in aging, here are some resources to get you started:

• American Society on Aging Job Board provides opportunities and resources for job seekers interested in aging service careers, and a platform for aging service providers to find employees with skills and interests that match their needs.
• Maryland’s Department of Service and Civic Innovation provides opportunities for young adults to develop skills and gain work experience through a paid workforce development program that matches job seekers with host site partners that include nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses, that match their interests. Maryland aging service providers and organizations are encouraged to apply now to be a host site. The next cohort begins in August and applications are open.
• Maryland’s Office of Apprenticeship offers employers the opportunity to boost recruitment in aging services by building apprenticeship programs to recruit new talent.