career switch - how to help people age better?

[workingToBeFit]

Hi folks. I have been teaching computer science at the university level for 20 years and I am really tired of it. I also am turning 51 this weekend and I want to "do something meaningful with my life" before it's too late. I am in good shape, have been working out regularly for 32 years, and know a lot about nutrition. But mostly what I see around me is a lot of folks my age and up overweight, struggling with diabetes and a million other health problems. So I have been asking myself, is there anything I could do to help? This is such a widespread issue. The news says people are living more years, but are sicker and more disabled for a lot of that time.

I am thinking I'd like to have a job where I could help people age better, more healthfully. I just watched my mother (at 87) dying for 2 years and spent a lot of time at nursing homes and rehab facilities. Anyway one thing I am thinking is, what could I do career-wise to help 50 and older people out.

I have thought about getting a personal training certification, or getting a degree in physical therapy, or even a degree in nutrition etc. I don't mind going back to school but don't want it to be really lengthy time-wise or enormously expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts/experiences they could share? Thanks in advance.

~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!

 

[SRP]

If you want to work with older people, two thoughts come to mind. One, nursing homes, and two, a geriatrics program/department if your area has a medical school.

Our medical school has a fantastic geriatrics department, and they do a lot of outreach for people 50 and older, as well as the usual patient care stuff.

If you have an organization like that, or some other senior citizens organization, you might contact them and get a feel for what the greatest needs in your area are.

You can also put your computer knowledge to work. Lots of older people are intimidated by computers, but so much now is done on computer - from paying bills to working with Medicare. You could maybe volunteer at a computer literacy program or something like that. I know it's not directly health related, but it does help people remain independent longer and also gives them a sense of empowerment. Not only that, but learning new things helps people to keep their minds active - one of the best ways to prevent Alzheimer's and other dementia.

 

[meredith]

I've made a similar switch and for the most part it's been rewarding. I was a systems analyst at a multi-national corporation and decided I wanted to be a nurse. I was attracted to the idea of counseling diabetics and/or running wellness programs. So I gave up my lucrative career and went back to school to become an RN. I've been working as an RN now for 6 months. And it's much more rewarding emotionally. But what I didn't fully understand was that you have to start at the bottom - you don't get to go to the top right out of school. And those jobs I wanted are definitely for experienced, more-credentialed nurses. I am not qualified yet. The other thing is that I had to start working night shift, which I hate. I only have to do this the first year, then I can work per diem and work whenever I want. (Of course, if I had to work FT with benefits I would still be on night shift, waiting for a days spot to open.) It's awful to be on the bottom of the pile, and it's been a huge status change. Even in school it was a huge status change. I was in charge of million-dollar international projects at my old company. I had a couple of really poor professors that just drove me crazy (most were good, though).
So just be prepared to put in the years of experience before you qualify for the dream job.

 

[jgarr44460]

Just to address the idea about a Physical Therapy degree. My son is just finishing up his degree at Ithaca College for PT. He is in his 5th year and will graduate with his Masters. He then goes on for his Doctorate which is optional for him but mandatory for all students starting the program now. His program was 5 years including summer affiliations ( clinical programs) and the new students program is a mandatory 7 years but would not include summers. BTW - The affilitations are anywhere in the country. It is a lottery system and he has been sent to NY,Kentucky and this summer Florida. All of this travel and related expenses are in addition to your regular tuition. Good luck with your decision!

 

[workingToBeFit]

Wow. I have been concerned about this and your post really clarifies it quite a bit. I have been in computing for a lot of years and have published 4 books etc - so I am treated pretty well. I did even find that being at one university for 17 years and then switching to a different university (5 years ago), there was a lot of "what happened I hit bottom again???" feelings as just switching schools I had to prove myself all over again to new people. I understand where you found making a total career switch would be so much harder. This is something I really need to think about.

~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!

 

[workingToBeFit]

Thank you for writing and telling me about your son's time frame. I am really going to need to look into things carefully. I am 51 and don't feel like I can spend forever in school these days.

~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!

 

[robyn6002]

Hi Ann -

I haven't posted here in ages and for some reason felt the urge to come over to the boards today...

I've had similar thoughts - I'm in software - Program Manager and having just spent a few days visiting my Mom at a nursing home. She lives out of state. It was such a sad existence. I was thinking the same... I'd love to hear what you decide.... I was looking to see how to incorporate this into life somehow! Know its so important to focus on mind/soul/and body and gosh was so sad seeing her having given up on everything

I'll be checking in to see what you decide! If you ever want to PM me I'd love to chat about it!