Any advice on changing career at our age?

There are many possibilities: Real Estate, Property Management, Activities Assistant, Retail Sales, Non-Profit groups (various jobs, some involve client contact and some do not), Pharmacy Tech, Travel Agent, Customer Service Rep, Office Assistant-medical, Instructor, Information Desk, Associate at a museum-theme park-public park.........

Look at web sites for your State Government, local Government, and local non-profit groups serving 'seniors' for career advice, training, and placement services. My local area has at least two groups who will help seniors explore and prepare for new careers.

You might also read some of the articles at the AARP web site to find some ideas.

AARP

Money and Work Section

http://www.aarp.org/money/

Here's a couple of suggestions that you would probably find interesting:

1) Social Services Designee:

Mostly this is done in Skilled Nursing Facilities. This job training can be found at some Community Colleges and some Vocational Schools. My suggestion is the Community College because it's usually of shorter duration and is many times less expensive. There is usually a certification involved.

If you think this is something you might like to try, call a Skilled Nursing Facility and ask for Personnel. Tell them that you are considering this type of occupation and ask them if you could do a job shadow for three or four hours to see if this is really what you would want to do. I would do this step after you have checked out the curriculum of the school you would attend. Just look at the classes and be satisfied with what you see, then make your decision on how to proceed.

2) Non-Profits. These wonderful corporations help persons in need of a very wide range of services. Some even have departments for Seniors. Find out what they do and what they have available that you could do, and then apply.

3) Go down to your nearest One-Stop and sit down with a Counselor who specializes in the Senior Workforce. Discuss the proposition of a career change. It's always a good idea to get some input from someone currently working in the field, in your area. It may be that this person will have other ideas that might appeal to you. There also might be some training available to you through Workforce Investment Act funding. But remember, with a job change at this stage of your life, it will be in an entry level position and therefore, less money. It could be that all you really need is a change of employer. Be sure to explore every possibility.

Good Luck and I do hope that you find what you seek!

Unfortunately, unless you are fairly well educated ie RN, LPN, etc. the helping professions do not pay very well. I got burned out in my profession and "retired" from that about 6 years ago. Finding a new career has not been easy. I've returned to college to broaden my chances (I already have a Masters Degree.) At this point I am working as an Activities Asst. in an Assisted Living facility making just over 8.50 per hour without benefits. I've said all this to get you to stop and think about changing careers at this point in the game. If money is not an object then go for it but if money is a concern please think long and hard before you give up your career. It is not that easy to change. Just my 2 cents worth.

Medical Assistant? They work in the Dr. office, rooming patients, etc.

Want to go to school for a l year and be an LPN? You will always have a job and be paid 2.5 times that of the personal care assistant.

Housekeeper? You could work independently and set your own hours, chose your own clients

Receptionist?

Medical Records? Work in many facilities, or insurance companies.

Do you want to do marketing for a facility? Show rooms, network with discharge planners at hospitals.

Dietary aide? Help prepare and serve meals.

Pet and house sitter?

waitress?

Before I pay money for training, I'd carefully check out the demand for after I graduate. A lot of schools will talk you into a course but when you graduate jobs in that area are hard to find.

Contact your local community education center or college and look for courses such as message therapy, volunteer at the Salvation Army or Red Cross sometimes this will lead to a job.

Well we don't know how old you are but I work with people that didn't get their nursing degree till their mid 50's . Maybe try drawing on your years of experience to make a position for your self. Don't sell your self short.

Medical technician. Phlebotomy.

Activities assistant in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Always looking for people to help keep them occupied and active.

you can do both! work and go to school, like that you have 2 plans! i do it and its not bad! ;)