Work force characteristics of continuing/life care administrators: implications for teaching and counseling

In recent years there has been increasing growth of continuing/life care facilities in the United States, offering older citizens a viable residential alternative, often with a health care component. Recognizing this growth, a survey of continuing/life care administrators in Florida was undertaken to assess their demographic characteristics and professional functions. Results indicate that administrators employed in this relatively new field are entering through a variety of routes (primarily the nursing home field) and that they perform a diversity of functions, a major one of which (client counseling) is not generally associated with traditional administrative roles. Some implications of these findings for health administration education and student counseling are briefly discussed in light of continued debates over generic versus specialized educational experiences.