Dealing with a slightly bossy colleague

[Jacketpotato4]

It's in a community care setting. I've met her twice, and I'll be with her again next week. One thing about this job is that you don't see the same people regularly, and I am actually leaving shortly for another care company which pays a bit more.
Anyway, she is pleasant, not rude or nasty, but just bossy.
I've actually been with this company for 3 years which she knows, and her for 2 months. She seems to be in her late 40s or thereabouts, I'm early 30s but some people seem to think younger (no it's not a boast, it's really not a bad thing to look your age! And people seem to have no idea what 30 actually looks like)
Anyway, we attend certain calls together and I'll find that she tries to take the lead. She'll tell me things that are blatantly obvious like 'You need to take the key out of the key safe and open the door."
And inside I'm thinking 'well no shit sherlock' (obviously I'd never say that).
Or for instance I was giving a lady a drink and she said 'You need to go and take the rubbish out." And I'm thinking 'Let me give this lady her drink first.'
She does this quite a lot, I'll clearly be doing something and she'll try and tell me to do something else. So last night I said to her 'One thing at a time.'
I try to be assertive without being rude. So I'll try to say 'Yes, I know.' or 'Yes, I'm just doing this first.'
Obviously being asked to help is one thing, guidance is another but her trying to give me blatantly obvious instructions is frustrating.
I don't know how to deal with it. I've had this a couple of times, I like community care because I mainly work alone so don't need to deal with this.
I mentioned the age thing because sometimes I get the impression that they think I'm some 'young girl who doesn't know what she's doing.'
Even though I've been there several years which I've told her, and I've had good feedback. Not saying I'm perfect as nobody is, but if I were so rubbish, slow or whatever surely there would be complaints.
Anyway, just wondered how to deal with these constant instructions as it's getting me down. Thanks

I feel like I've read this exact post before.

You're leaving soon, just ignore her or grey rock her until then.

You have met her TWICE

she is “slightly bossy”

and you are working your notice

seriously?

“Perhaps you haven’t been told, but I’ve been doing this job for years.”

She seems to be in her late 40s or thereabouts, I'm early 30s but some people seem to think younger (no it's not a boast, it's really not a bad thing to look your age! And people seem to have no idea what 30 actually looks like)

what the flying fig does that have to do with anything

and she’s your boss Op. she can be “slightly bossy”. It’s sort of in her job remit

She's not my boss, we're both care workers at the same level.
I'm not leaving due to her, sorry if that wasn't made clear, I'm leaving due to pay.

Anyway, we attend certain calls together and I'll find that she tries to take the lead

she. Is. Your. Boss.

so of course she will take the lead

I've mentioned age because some people seem to have this 'some inexperienced young girl* mentality.

Ah. Apologies

in that case. She’s pleasant and you’re working your notice and you have met her twice

just ride out last couple of weeks

I can confirm she is definitely not my boss 😂

You’re in the care sector. Most are pretty young.

Fucking hell did you actually read the op? Or is it more fun just to stick the boot in?
Maybe read it again all your points are covered.

She does this quite a lot

and yet you have met her twice in two months

Yep some are very young but we also have many experienced older ladies who've been doing it for decades.
And it sounds daft but in home care when you're working with someone you're usually only with them for the entire day, nobody else, so it can get a little intense.

Oh I used to work with someone like this many years ago in a supermarket. She started snapping at me and talking down to me after a couple of months as well. I just tuned her out and when she did it in front of other staff they were shocked and reported her. I could never decide if she was terminally stupid or just plain rude. Eventually I got promoted over her head.

But op you have one worked with her twice in two month and you’re about to leave

It doesn't matter I've only met her twice, it's been enough for me to pick up on this sort of behaviour.

I've spent the full day with her twice which has been enough to see

Yes but throw In fact you’re about to leave, it would seem that the third time you work together, which is next week, might well be the last!

I have a couple more shifts with her which is why I'm asking.

So two more shifts with her and then you’re off.

inthat case - don’t hold back! Just tell her to back off and let you concentrate and do the job that you’ve been doing for the last 3 years just fine without her

Given that you're leaving shortly and only had to meet her twice in three months I'm not sure it's worth giving this thought, nor why you are? You could let her know next time you're rostered together but before going on a call that she is giving you instructions, but you don't work for her and would like her to stop doing that. Be prepared to hear all about your own perceived faults if you choose to criticise her though; maybe she finds you slow or forgetful and that frustrates her for example.

No brainer really

would be a little different if you weren’t leaving as you’d have to be a touch diplomatic but with you leaving - you have much more freedom with what you say

Yeah, I should, hopefully I'll find the courage.
I've done that before but then I find they act all stunned and nonplussed, and say 'oh I was only trying to help/oh I didn't mean it like that'

Is there any chance she has been asked by management to support you?

Just be blunt with her. Tell her you are an experienced worker and do not need instruction from her. And if she starts doing it, tell her again, and add that you will be doing things your way and not responding to her bossiness at all for the rest of your time together.