Am I Too Old To Be A Care Assistant?

Ever wondered if you're too old to become a care assistant? Well, age is just a number when it comes to caring. Whether you've just graduated or you're a retired professional looking for a fulfilling role, it's never too late to start.

How old do I need to be to be a care assistant?

Simply put, when it comes to the care industry, there's no age restriction for passion and dedication. 

Being a care home assistant entails supporting people who require help in their day-to-day lives due to illness, disability or age-related conditions.

As a care assistant, or a healthcare assistant (HCA), you'll find your tasks varying from helping people eat, stay clean, get dressed to move from one place to another.

Monitoring vital signs, administering medicine and updating resident care records are other responsibilities you could shoulder.

For enthusiastic individuals willing to hold more responsibilities, the role of a senior care assistant awaits. This role could see you supervising and training other care assistants and managing resident schedules, writing care plans, liaising with doctors and other healthcare professionals, and keeping family members updated.

It's an engaging and purposeful journey where you not only lend a helping hand but also learn a lot from different experiences as you will be meeting lots of engaging people with countless stories to tell. 

What is the maximum age to be a care assistant?

Some might ask, can you still work as a care assistant at 70, or perhaps even 80? It's important to understand that there's no age restriction when it comes to making a meaningful difference in someone's life. The care industry recognises talent, regardless of age.

So, Can You be a Carer at 70?

Care assistants range in age from 18 to mature individuals of 80+ years, proving that age is truly just a number. Older care assistants can be professionals from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. 

This diversity contributes to a wide range of skills and perspectives that each carer brings to each care setting. Talking skills, find out more about what types of skills you need to be a care worker. 

If you're one to derive satisfaction from being friendly and wanting to help improve others' lives, being a care assistant might just be the fulfilling role you've been looking for.

Your wisdom and life experience can offer invaluable insights in this field. More importantly, your eagerness to make a difference is what makes a truly outstanding carer.

As the saying goes, age doesn't define you - it's your passion and dedication that truly speak volumes. So, it's safe to say that yes, you most certainly can be a carer at 70.

Can anyone be a care assistant?

Absolutely! The role of a care assistant is open to anyone, regardless of age, who can demonstrate core values of compassion, patience and empathy. With a role as critical as this, it's not age that matters, but the willingness to learn and provide an excellent level of care.

Previous background or job experience as a carer is not a deal-breaker. While experience in health and social care is beneficial for roles like a Live-in Care Assistant or a Waking Night Care Assistant, it's not a prerequisite. 

In the case of a domiciliary Care Assistant role, people with little or no professional experience are also welcome, so long as they are eager to learn. Organisations provide full training so that every aspiring care assistant has the opportunity to learn the necessary skills.

One of the essential skills a care assistant must possess is emotional resilience. It's vital to be prepared to switch moods at a moment's notice. There could be times when you might have to break sad news to a patient's relatives, and moments later, you'd be cheerfully chatting with an extroverted resident. Always remember, this element can be emotionally draining, but it's also one of the key aspects of the job that fosters connection and trust with the people you care for.

Why older workers are choosing a career in care

The care sector is increasingly being pursued by workers later in their careers, reflecting a societal shift towards more flexible, purpose-driven roles that cater to a variety of lifestyles and ambitions.

The Rise of Older Workers in the Care Sector

This can be seen when according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), during the previous year, an impressive number of already mature individuals embraced the idea of starting anew.

Over 100,000 people, all over the age of 60, started a new job in the UK. What's striking is that this was not a stagnant figure, but revealed an increase - showing a significant 11% rise from the year before.

But that's not all. The same ONS data projects a pretty optimistic future within our ageing society. Due to healthier and longer lives, they expect this figure to double within the next 15 years.

The Role of Work Flexibility

We cannot overlook the role of work flexibility when discussing the boom of older workers in care. It's ok if you want to look after your grandchildren or you're simply up to work a minimal amount of hours per week.

Care jobs offer the possibility to mould your work around your lifestyle, rather than the other way around. It’s not just about the generous pension contributions or financial boost.

What are the benefits of working a job over 60?

The flexibility of care work is a major draw, allowing you to fit your job around your lifestyle. Moreover, there's a profound sense of personal fulfilment that comes with care work.

So, don't let age hold you back. You're never too old to start a new chapter in your career, especially in care work. You've got a wealth of life experience to offer, and the care sector could be the perfect place to utilise it. 

Register with Social Care People today to support finding the perfect role for you. We can send you job alerts and assist you with finding the role of your dreams.