How Old Is Too Old.

[cupotee2]

I'm rather put out after reading an account from a Health Care assistant that her job is only going to get worse, as too many people are living longer.

Both Mr Cupo and me are both getting on a bit, it doesn't inspire confidence in the care we might need as time goes on.

I worked in care for many years and don't recall having those thoughts towards the people I cared for.

Something we can do nothing about is ageing.

[jeffa]

Too old is older than me.

[Obiter]

This 'Health Care assistant' (whatever that is) might care to contemplate that if people die earlier she might be short of clients, and thus at risk of redundancy.

[Mamyalynne]

Rather a crass statement from someone purporting to work in the caring profession.

[cupotee2]

I think Health Assistant is a name for an unqualified nurse assistant.

I guess they all get tired and feel over worked, but with luck we will get old. Who knows what the future life expectancy is for any of us.

[Cloverjo]

Perhaps the health care assistant might mean there will be more people for her to look after, and that it will be a struggle to give them all good care.

[Obiter]

It sounds to me as though this 'health care assistant' might have been more productively employed as a practitioner in Dr Shipman's surgery.

[Old_Geezer]

There is always something society needs to spend on. So, the elderly care budget needs increasing, if it wasn't that it'd be something else, just needs good management. Anyway increased numbers of customers don't necessarily mean it gets worse for those working in the industry ; just means more job opportunities there.

[pixie373]

No such thing as too old, Imo. That's a bizarre thing to say!

[pastafreak]

cupatee...do you have a link to the item...I'd like to read it for myself.

[Butterbun]

Rather a careless statement. Maybe she needs a holiday or a change of job.

[cupotee2]

I don't have a link I can share unfortunately. Its a private Facebook page.

Reading further comments, I imagine the writer was pretty tired after a busy night shift.

Were all human at the end of the day. I'm thankful I don't have to go to work any more.

[dunnitall]

Personally I think this is how a lot of health carers feel whether they voice it or not. If you read daily about how the health system is struggling under the pressure, not only from monetary cuts but just the huge increase in population, one cannot help but know that life is going to get more difficult, especially with 'care' within the NHS. Surely this is most apparent as one reads the news or hears it on TV, you don't need a degree to realise the health system and those who work in it are under enormous pressure. Reduce the incomers who will further burden the system to try at least to help those in years to come.

[pips1]

My mum is in care and is 91. She herself has 'had enough' and is always saying we are all living too long. Mum is in a relatively good home and the staff are all lovely but very overworked. I could simply not do that job, most are on minimum wage and some of the residents are very challenging. They are always cutting back on things like activities and they are very short staffed despite the extortionate charges. My mum is a Yorkshire woman through and through and is very blunt, she has always said we should get to 70 and then be shot, ha.

[boxtops]

A healthcare assistant is an unregistered member of the nursing team, and a lot of the routine patient care falls on their shoulders - it's hard work, and they are limited in what they can do, since many jobs can only be done by registered nurses. The strain is on the NHS as a whole with so many people living so much longer - she's only repeating personally what the pwoers that be have been saying for some time. http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/value-for-money-in-public-services/the-ageing-population/

[ubasses]

Like Pips my Mum is 86 and in a good care home and has been telling me she 'should be gone by now' for a long time. Unfortunately she has needed care since she was 79. On the other hand my late mother in law did notneed care until she was 94 for the last 3 months of her life. So I do not think you can define too old by a number.

[boxtops]

I agree, ubasses - my mum was disabled but didn't need personal care until the last six months of her life. My sister's inlaws were the same. If you shot people at 70, half of AB would disappear!

[glenbar]

Times have changed I think. I for one simply feel a burden to society now that I have outlived my usefulness. There was an article in one of the newspapers this week regarding this problem.