The Great Resignation

Curating Your Career As A Community Caregiver

Job loss was one of the many stressors when the pandemic began, and indeed many employees were laid off. However, many who remained gainfully employed are now taking their career in to their own hands.

Record numbers of mid and late-career Americans are voluntarily resigning from their jobs—so many that the phenomenon has been dubbed “The Great Resignation”. Most aren’t leaving for a new job, but to curate their own careers. Here are just a few reasons why people are quitting high-paying jobs, and why community caregiving may be the right fit for you.

When did the Great Resignation begin?

This answer is debatable as many experts believe that The Great Resignation began before the pandemic, just at a rate that wasn’t as easy to measure. However, the record number of resignations began in April of 2021 and peaked in September.

Exit interviews found that the percentage of people who were voluntarily resigning weren’t doing so because they had found a new job, but because they were looking for a higher quality of life. They were achieving this goal by exploring their self-employment options.

By August, voluntary resignations peaked at 2.9% of the population. That number may not sound like much, but it accounts for approximately 4.3 million people. The tech, leisure, health, and hospitality industries had higher resignation percentages than most—but all industries are feeling the impact.

Overall, the number of voluntary resignations rose over 20% from 2019 to 2021. This is primarily employees ages 25+, but most of the resignations are adults ages 30 to 45. Pre-pandemic, voluntary resignations were most common in the 20 to 25 age group. However, this younger age group’s resignations decreased during 2020 and 2021. It is assumed that, due to the pandemic, the desire for financial security has minimized younger and entry-level employees from exploring their options.

Why are employees voluntarily leaving their jobs?

The pandemic has had a positive ripple effect, including forcing us to consider what is truly important in life. While we’re still trying to determine what our “new normal” looks like, many Americans have reassessed their priorities.

Adults who weren’t seriously considering resignation or self-employment pre-pandemic are embracing the idea. Here are the top reasons why:

• Working from home has caused many adults to reimagine their lives, including embracing the possibility of self-employment. Or launching the business they’ve been dreaming of.
• For many, quality of life has improved greatly during the pandemic. As their company transitions out of working from home, they no longer want to be tied to an office, location, or designated work hours.  
• On the flip side, many adults had an increased level of stress during the pandemic. They took on larger workloads to cover colleagues who were laid off. Now they are burnt out and submitting their resignation.
• After reimagining their lives, many adults are prioritizing quality of time with loved ones, mental health, and the ability to live life on their own schedule.  
• For some, it’s simply time for a change. They are inspired by friends and family members who’ve launched businesses during the pandemic. Or they are searching for more meaningful work.
• Health insurance was one of the many reasons to keep a “good” job, even if it was stressful or toxic. With the Affordable Care Act offering reasonably priced health insurance for all, there’s one less reason to stay in an unfulfilling job.

What self-employment options are people exploring?

The options are endless, and it’s up to the individual person. Joining the gig economy is a popular choice as you can jump right in. This includes on-demand and scheduled services such as Uber, TaskRabbit, or community caregiving which provides flexible hours. For example, a parent could drop their kids off at school, only picking up caregiving shifts during school hours.

Many adults are freelancing in their previous industry or offering freelance services in other skilled areas. For many, this means jobs that can be completed with nothing other than a laptop and internet connection so that they are free to travel.

Now is also an ideal time to take advantage of affordable online training courses. This goes beyond college classes to hyper-targeted training and certification programs. These online courses empower adults to develop the skills required to launch the business or career they’ve been dreaming of.

Finally, many adults are curating a career that includes multiple streams of income.

Is working as a community caregiver right for me?

Caregiving may not be something you’ve ever considered, but it may be the perfect fit for you! No special skills are required, but you must be kind, patient, and have a genuine desire to help people in your community.

Most of your clients will be senior citizens who require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Things most of us don’t think twice about until our mobility or health begins to decline. In other words, you already have the skills required to get started.

Here are some of the most common services seniors schedule community (aka. non-medical) caregivers for:

• Companionship—many of us realized the true importance of in-person socialization during the pandemic. A companionship caregiving shift may include visiting a client at home or going out to lunch, the movies, a park, and more.
• Errands & Appointments—many seniors no longer drive, and it can be difficult for their families to take time off work. So, you can run errands for or with your client such as grocery shopping. You could take them to scheduled appointments such as the doctor’s office or hair salon. They may even need a ride to visit friends and family.
• Meal Preparation—cooking can be challenging as we age. There’s no need to be an expert in the kitchen, as most clients want simple and nutritious meals. You will need to follow their dietary restrictions.
• Light Housekeeping—as mobility begins to decline sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and basic cleaning becomes a challenge. Performing these simple tasks can brighten your client’s day.
• And more—these are just a few of the services you may be asked to provide. You may also provide a friendly reminder to take their medication, stop by to check in while their family is out of town, and each shift will include an overall wellness check to keep their family apprised.

As you can see, you already have the skills above!  

Is YouMeCare a caregiving agency?

Nope, Yümi is a caregiving app. For seniors and their family members, we are a flexible caregiving option. Caregiving agencies often required set schedules, but with Yümi clients can schedule services as needed. Like traditional agencies, we complete an in-depth background check on all caregivers before their profile goes live.

Once you are pre-screened and your background check is complete, you can log in to the app and create a profile. The hours you work and the rates you charge are entirely up to you. The app also allows you to send family members photos and messages while you are with your client. For example, a photo of their mom’s dog Rosie after picking her up from the groomers. Or sending real-time updates, such as letting your client’s son know you’ve arrived at the doctor’s office.  

Ready to join the YouMeCare community?

In addition to the flexibility of working as a community caregiver, your shifts will be enormously rewarding! You will see and feel that you have made a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s one shift or a client becomes a regular, you will make meaningful connections each shift.  

While this blog post is geared towards those who’ve taken part in The Great Resignation, Yümi caregivers are a mix of college students, empty nesters, mid-career switchers, and even retirees. Start your prescreening process today!

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