A new career in care at 65

A new career in care at 65

Christine from Oldham never imagined that, at the age of 65, she'd be starting an entirely new career. She had worked in accounts for four decades, spending 20 years as an Accounts Manager at a van hire company in Salford, before taking a period of leave.

Christine's husband of 38 years became unwell, and she left her job in September 2019 to care for him full-time until he sadly passed away in 2023. By June of that year, Christine returned to what she knew best – spreadsheets, office routines, and the familiarity of her decades-long career – with a part-time job as an Accounts Manager.

But it didn't feel right, and one morning in early 2025, Christine sat down at her desk, staring at a spreadsheet, and thought: "No. I want a job that means something, a job that makes a difference." She handed in her resignation that same day.

Taking a leap into care

In the final week of her notice period, Christine spotted a care role advertised on Indeed. At first, she wasn't sure if she should apply – she had spent her entire career in accounts and didn't feel confident she had the right experience – but something about the job advert just felt right. 

After a weekend of deliberating, she applied and even wrote what she jokingly calls a "begging letter" – a heartfelt note explaining why the role meant so much to her. "If I don't try, I'll never know. What's the worst that can happen?"

To her surprise, Christine got a call back – and then the job!

Christine admits that age crossed her mind. "But I don't feel old, and I'm still pretty active."

Life as a carer

Christine joined Cera in March 2025 as a carer and today, now aged 66, works 25 to 28 hours a week – mainly mornings. She supports service users with personal care, morning routines such as breakfast and washing, and giving service users their medication.

For Christine, it's a job that is deeply fulfilling. "It's the best thing I've ever done. I wish I'd started sooner."

The value of age

Christine has found that being an older carer is an advantage. As many of her service users are older, she feels she can understand and empathise with them better. "When you're older, you look at people and you don't just see someone who needs care. You see the person they were – with careers, families, busy lives. I think they feel that and trust you quicker because you understand."

Cera's training emphasises that you should treat service users how you would want to be treated, something that really resonated with Christine – "It's so true!" – and she carries it with her every day.

Embracing technology

Christine found Cera's tech-enabled care simple to use. At first, when she saw the mobile and Cera app, she thought, "Crikey." But after using it, she realised it was straightforward, and she doesn't feel it would be a barrier for an older person starting their care career. "If you can use a phone, you can use the app. And there aren't many people who don't have a phone these days."

Finding purpose and looking to the future

When Christine first told her friends and family that she was starting a new career in care, their initial reaction was one of disbelief. "At your age?" they asked. But Christine was determined to give it her best shot, and now those same people say, "It's a shame you didn't do this earlier."

Christine couldn't agree more and has no plans to stop – she hopes to keep working for as long as she can.

For Christine, this career change was about finding something with meaning, value, and purpose. Care has given her all that – and more.

"I wear my Cera uniform with pride and commitment, I love my job, and I would like to thank Cera for giving me the opportunity to pursue a career that makes a difference to people's lives and mine – I feel like I've found the perfect job," she says. "My advice for anyone older thinking about starting in care is: if I can do it, you can too."