Care home worker

[ArcticBells]

I'm 61 and thinking of giving up my office job to work as a healthcare assistant in a care/nursing home. It's not what I would necessarily choose to do but my mother spent many years in one and a) I'd like to give something back, and b) have a local less pressurised job.

Can anyone tell me what it would really be like and offer either (hopefully) encouragement or put me off completely!

Most shifts are long (12 hours). Can you be on your feet for that long? How is your own health? Do you think you can manage a mix of day and night shifts? What about an unpredictability rota?

Could you work as a care coordinator or admin for the nursing home how about local hospital. Care work in tough physically emotionally and draining

Care work is definitely not low pressure! It’s hard, stressful and exhausting. Granted, there can be some lovely moments but it is hard work and often thankless. The clients can be lovely but also can have quite challenging behaviour.

I'm grateful for all the comments. I have another 4 years of working and need to get it right.

I think it would be too physically arduous for most 61 year olds.

Would someone of my age even be considered? I do recall older employees when my mother was in a care home but they may have been employed for a long time

I'm fit and well

You've the lived experience to understand what challenges an elderly person might give you, esp re: behaviour, and to appreciate individual needs, wants, preferences, interests, etc. You sound confident that you've the energy for it.
4 years doesnt amount to more than settling in, a honeymoon period, getting into it, then waiting to leave. So you probably cant go wrong!
Im not sure that wanting to "give something back" is a workable motivation, nor that its an unpressured job - juggling the conflicting needs of a group of residents is going to be tougher than you might expect, and your experience from visiting your DM wont be a realistic view of how things actually work.

That's very presumptuous. I am much more physically able in my 60s than many 20 somethings. Proven during a 6 day event as well as at work.

Why not ideal to a local Care home and see if you can do some shadowing shifts at a weekend to see? You could also do some training online ready for it (Safeguarding, Level 2 Preparing to work in Adult Care, Medication Administration Principles, Infection Prevention) That way you could see if it's for you before you jump.

Low stress? Dealing with ill, soiled, sometimes upset, dementia patients?

I agree its not "low stress" at all! But in OP's defence, she said a LESS pressured job, not a LOW pressure one.

I have worked in care in various roles including management since I was 20. I am 36 now and working in a residential service and one of my colleagues is in their 60’s and the other early 70’s. I like the fact them being older than me brings a different dynamic and maturity to the team and they have lots of life experience! Also both a fit and healthy. The role itself is extremely challenging to tell you the truth, yes rewarding at times, but ultimately you do the job for the love of the clients, not the money or anything like that. Sadly though you will find a lot of people you work with ironically do not share the same passion/care. I am only saying that because I find that the most difficult part of the job! I love the job and relationships
I have with the clients but find working with people who lack compassion and couldn’t give two shits about their work extremely difficult!

I think it’s something you just have to try to figure out if it’s really something you can do. I have had some of the best times of my life working in care, hard times too but I wouldn’t change it for anything ❤️

It was the hardest, most physically and emotionally draining work I have ever done. I met some amazing care assistants who loved their patients and were absolutely the best of people. I met some care assistants I wouldn't want near a relative of mine, let alone near them at their most vulnerable. How about volunteering to go in and visit? Don't give up your office job.

I am a Reg nurse working in a fabulous care home . Physically you should be fine as long as you are in good health.
My main advice would be to find out as much as you can about any home you apply to.
Staff turn over tells you everything you need to know about how well looked after and respected the staff are . Happy staff = well cared for residents.
Ask about staffing levels
Training
Paid breaks and if lunch is supplied.
Does the home have a cheerful feel to it ? Good luck . X

It's not something I would recommend for anyone really. It's utterly soul destroying, relentless and thankless work. You barely get time to pee or have a cup of tea. You get insulted, blamed, thumped, have to deal with weird, lazy colleagues and relatives who make things up to complain about. The managers are often lazy and stupid and the pay is poor. You're also constantly pressurised to take on extra shifts. Most places have 12 hour shift patterns.

Oh, and staff ring in sick at the last minute then you're expected to cover their work.