Is it even possible to get a desk-based job working with the elderly??

[user2251]

I want / need to go back to work now that DC are getting older.

I have always wanted to work with elderly people, it's something I find myself really drawn to.

However, I have health issues which mean that I absolutely cannot lift or be on my feet all day. No way could my body cope with being a carer.

It's actually getting me quite down as I can't find any jobs working with the elderly but desk-based.

Any ideas for jobs / careers ??

Preferably entry-level but I could train.

Thanks

Are you admin trained. Ward clerk on elderly ward or in a rehab centre?

Have you considered being a social prescriber?

The Alzheimers society have jobs that are more advice focused. Local carers support groups often need someone to manage volunteers. Local nursing homes employ people to organise activities and day trips. Some communities have a bus service for day care centres and the such like, might be good if you can drive.

Residential homes and nursing homes need admin staff. NHS needs admin staff in many wards that involve all ages

Lots of options in the charity sector around admin and also advice & information type roles. I also know someone who works for a telecare company basically responding to emergency calls, look up telecare alarm companies.

Social worker.

Age UK jobs here A lot of shop jobs which I guess would also be difficult, but there are others.

What about pensions admin? Maybe specifically payroll where the queries and therefore people you’d deal with might be elderly if they are calling about their benefits?

I am an information & Advice worker for Age Uk, so lots of telephone advice, helping people to claim disability benefits, some home visits but nothing strenuous involved.

@vdbfamily Thanks. I have an NQ Administration with NPA Medical Reception and Records, and a Level 6 Administration with Digital Technologies. Although I don't have any recent work experience at all, I have just completed both courses over the last 2 years. Would this be enough training do you think? Ward Clerk on an Elderly Ward sounds good.

@MiniTheMinx Thanks, some good ideas. I can't drive unfortunately. I had thought about Activities type of job in a Care Home. Do you have to drive for that?

@BathshebaKnickerStickers Thanks. All the Care Home admin jobs I've seen advertised are looking for finance and accounts experience, so I'd kind of ruled that out but maybe I'll look at it again.

@fernz Thanks, I have been applying for Telecare jobs and I would absolutely love this job, it fits perfectly for me. I don't even get replies to my applications though, I'm not sure where I am going wrong. Maybe it's lack of recent work experience. I could try to volunteer to get something on my cv.

@midairchallenger Thanks, I will look into this but it's seems like a very high pressure role to me, a social worker. I lack confidence. However I will look into it, it would be specifically for older people then maybe I could train.

@PermanentTemporary Thanks very much for that link.

@Caterinaballerina Thanks, sounds interesting. My daughter's aunt works for HMRC I'll ask her about this.

@Babyroobs Thanks, that sounds like a good fit for me. Can I ask how you got into that, did you have qualifications or training? Yeah, I can do some standing and walking etc, but I can't be on my feet all day.

Radiographer here - most if not all Hospitals have a "bank department" basically locum work and you can apply they keep you on the books - you can specify what band your looking for and what areas. It would bw great if you need flexibility with kids school holibobs etc.
Clerical work in the NHS usually Band 2/Band 3. Hope this helps.

Hi there - have a look at Home Instead website and see if you can find information on becoming a professional visitor.

I use these all the time - they are people who go out and see elderly in care homes who have no family.

Just for a chat mostly - usually about an hour at a time - no standing/caring involved.

That might suit you - even as a sideline to supplement another job?

I think adult social work in a hospital setting is more of an office based role (I have only ever worked in frontline CP so may be wrong). You would need to undertake social work training but we have assistant role in childrens services.

as mentioned, I would try and get into hospital bank admin and go where needed for a while and see what you like so if something permanent Congress up, they know you already and will give you a good chance

AgeUk

I think Activities co-ordinator could work well, obviously you would have to do some standing up and moving around but it could be very rewarding work. A friend of mine did that role for some time and she absolutely loved it and had great fun organising all sorts of innovative ideas.

I am from a Nursing background but then started working for Citizens advice as a benefits advisor for a cancer charity. They do give good training at CAB but a lot of what I learned was self taught and you can learn on the job. I didn't have any benefits experience when I started the job, they were looking more for communication skills etc. Most of my work is phone based, maybe two one hourly home visits a week- mainly benefit checks, sometimes advice on paying for care homes, social care assessments etc, lots of disability form applications, carers allowance applications, blue badge applications etc. Sometimes people can be angry and raging at the system and the unfairness of it but most are lovely just looking to boost their income a bit to get by. But it is very rewarding.

Could you try volunteering with CAB? May be able to use that to help you move to paid job in advising the elderly on benefits etc.

What about working for a care provider doing the desk side of the work, the HR stuff, payroll, admin?

@MixedCouple Thanks very much, I will consider bank admin. I did the NQ Admin with Medical course so hopefully they would take me.

@alittlequinnie Thanks so much, I never knew about that website or the service even existed. When I worked as a carer in a home (before I got the the health issues preventing me from standing all day) we had residents who had no visitors and it was awful for them. Definitely going to look at that!!

Thanks @willstarttomorrow , @vdbfamily , @MiniPiccolo

@Ragwort Thanks. Do you know if driving is required for Activities Co-Ordinator?

@Babyroobs Thank you, that is very helpful. I'll look into maybe training with the CAB.

@RaininSummer Thanks, I am going to look into volunteering with CAB.

@Nat6999 Thanks, I'll have a look at care providers websites.

@user2251 the Activities Co-ordinator at my mum's care home doesn't do any driving . There is a mini bus for taking the residents on trips and the bus driver is a separate role.

They also have reception staff who answer the phone and help out generally eg chatting to the residents, helping with some of the activities etc (I say staff because there is more than one on a rota)

What about the social housing sector, and being a housing officer or well-being /support officer specifically for sheltered housing or for a housing association specialising in older people? Some of the role would generally involve supporting them with their tenancy and resolving any issues but an enormous element is being assertive and really good at advocating for older people and their needs with external agencies, helping them to apply for all the benefits and pension credits they’re entitled to, supporting them to receive the right care at home if they need it etc.