Sights set on maturing market

Baby boomers are aging. By 2051 approximately 26 per cent of Kiwis will be 65 years and over, compared to 12 per cent in 1996, according to the Office for Senior Citizens.

The aging of the population will, in turn, spur a growth in a number of industries with an emphasis on wellness, health and leisure.

A career path that involves solving issues around community services, recreation, transport, health planning and urban design is that of a planner. This translates into decision on things such as housing and security, mobility and transport, physical fitness and access to facilities.

The integration of social and community issues of ageing within urban design is going to occupy more and more attention, says University of Auckland planning Professor Jenny Dixon.

"Planners are going to be increasingly in demand locally and globally because of the implications of an aging population."

Planners are in the role of connecting everything together, says Elizabeth Aitken Rose, senior lecturer and deputy head of the school of architecture and planning at University of Auckland.

"For example, how does public transport connect the elderly with the community? Simple necessities, such as good footpaths and pedestrian crossings will become more important."

Community based dietitians are also likely to become particularly important as our population ages because of the increased emphasis on home-based, rather than residential, care, says Kate Ormrod, Auckland City Hospital renal dietitian.

Currently around two thirds of dietitians work for district health boards, in clinical, community and food service roles. Dietitians advise their diet for maintaining good health, managing food services and food and nutrition issues.

The key role for dietitian is prevention and treatment. As a hospital-based dietitian, Ormrod works with patients referred by doctors and nurses as being of nutritional risk. As part of her role, she analyses 'bloods', eating history, weight history and biochemical data.

"There is currently a huge explosion of the chronic diseases that tend to happen within an aging population; obesity, cardiovascular, type two diabetes, renal disease and cancer."

Andrea Kelly, a practising audiologist and audiology lecturer, says most people could do with a hearing aid in when they reach their sixties.

With people living longer and expecting a higher quality of life, she says the use of aids will increase, particularly as the technology has become much more sophisticated.

"Aids are improving all the time. In fact the research and development going into them suggests it is considered a very lucrative area to invest and work in."

However, despite baby boomer rock concert habits, Kelly says long-term hearing isn't usually affected by rock concert attendance - unless it was continual.

Audiologists identify, measure and treat hearing disorders and loss, providing aids or other assisting listening devices. It is a great job for anyone interested in science, technology and people interaction, says Kelly.

You need a Masters in Audiology from the University of Auckland or Canterbury University and current practicing certificate to be able to practice as an audiologist. Currently 30 per cent of audiologists work in public health; the rest in private practice.

The executive officer of the New Zealand Audiological Society, Maree Gunn, says there is a worldwide shortage and ongoing demand as the population ages. Audiologists also work with hearing aid companies providing clinical or product support.

The list of careers predicted to be in high demand in the future also includes occupational therapists, computer help technicians, biotechnologists, epidemiologists, speech therapists, health assistants, optometrists, yoga and pilate teachers, cosmetic surgeons, podiatrists and nurse specialists. 

BOOMING CAREERS

 * Planner- Bachelor of Planning (four years) or Masters in Planning through University of Auckland. Lincoln and Waikato universities offer postgraduate courses; Massey an undergraduate. Click link below for more information.

* Dietician - Bachelor of Science or Consumer and Applied Sciences majoring in Human Nutrition and Food Service Management, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics. Various options at Otago, Auckland, Massey and Lincoln universities.Click link below for further information.

* Audiologist - Masters in Audiology at University of Auckland or Canterbury University. Auckland prefers undergraduate degrees in psychology or physiology. Canterbury accepts arts degrees as well. Click link below.