At a crossroads re continuing in work

It's possible that you're feeling 'tired' due to stress. And it could be money stress, so stopping work might make you worse. Also, not working would be replaced with resting? If you can work from home I'd suggest you carry on. Sit in the council and go for a little walk each day. It'll feel like swimming in pineapples at first, but it'll get better. I get winter depression and lose my umph daily. I have to force myself up but, once I've been up and going, feel much better.

Oops... should be 'sit in the sun' lol

I think all comments are valuable, especially continuing to work in any capacity! What I would question is your pension situation, seems v. Low to me,x BUT - your health!! Yes seeing a GP demands lots of effort which you haven’t got but, have you had covid? Not even recently! Long COVID is under publicised and horrendous! Think total chronic fatigue as a starter, brain fog, breathing problems! So many different symptoms, no tests, but there are support groups now! I live with a “victim”! Deffo get your bloods done through GP though! Sincerely hope life improves for you. 💐

Kaazak Is your Pension Credit affected with you running a successful Airbnb I was under the impression the PC would be reduced due to extra income.

Do you (or could you) qualify to 'medically retire' from your job? At least you'd get your state pension early. Does your employer offer any retirement planning scheme? It's not just about money, it's about your future life.

Doodldog this poster is 67 and has worked for 55 years. I would suggest at this stage the last thing anyone is wanting to do is aspirational interviews. I thinking more along the lines of supplemental small jobs.

I’m 62 and until last November had been working two 16 hours jobs. Hated one and loved the other. Had had my resignation letter written for months for the hated job but was terrified of jumping. Had a horrible time with a very sick friend in November and suddenly woke up one morning thinking what the heck. Handed in the letter that day and have not regretted a moment. Do it. You will be ok.

I'm thinking that having a fall may have knocked your 'spirit' as well as your energy - which often happens, especially in twilight years. Please try not to be hard on yourself and yes, as others have said I would certainly consult your GP. They often have checks they can run for anything serious and can often suggest supplements for anything that is needed, which may give you that extra energy boost.

A 16-hour working week isn't a great deal if you can try to continue, as it's probably a good access to a community and sense of wellbeing and worth in itself and, as you say the extra income. However, again, there may well be additional resource that you can pull on if you fit certain low income thresholds, which mean that you won't be left struggling.

Please don't let stress add to your problems.

I can recommend a wonderful hypnotherapist if it all gets too much and you need a relaxation session to soothe you.

If you wanted to try Vitamin B12 in the meantime, Solgar was a brand that was recommended to me…..though maybe get your baseline blood tests first.

Can you work from home at flexible times? If so do the job when you can
As others have said see what the doc says, not feeling ok to get up can be a sign of depression for example. A simple blood test and blood pressure review can tell you a lot. It told me that I had a liver problem and prediabetes for example , and the subsequent scans showed other things which weren't nasty but coils turn nasty so have had those dealt with.
That blood test and bp monitoring means I'm on medication and I am feeling a lot better.
With I could have continued working and did for a year but realized that I was the only person doing the job and of I became unwell I would need to take time off and then be behind and have to catch up, which would be stressful. I thought about it for a long time, and thinking of the growing number of friends my age who had died in the previous few years decided that I'd give in my notice and retire once I could draw my state pension, which is a bit more than my PT job brought in. Luckily I have another small pension and all is going.well, I'm enjoying my bus pass and the lack of stress. Sometimes I think I should have kept on for another couple.of years and enjoyed extra income. I could get a different part time job if I wanted I guess but for the time being all is well
Everyone has a different set of circumstances but get your health sorted first x

dogsmother

Doodldog this poster is 67 and has worked for 55 years. I would suggest at this stage the last thing anyone is wanting to do is aspirational interviews. I thinking more along the lines of supplemental small jobs.

I was simply pointing out that there is not necessarily 'always something you can do'. I don't think my sister would describe looking for a local job 'aspirational interviews' , but she isn't getting shortlisted. Obviously if this is not of interest to the OP she can ignore it, but given that she still has all options open I thought it was worth a mention.

Bea65

Am very uncertain what to do...have very little energy at moment due to bad fall 2mths ago and being off work...my present role i can do at home and its only 16hrs a week -am 67 - but can't seem to wake up in mornings and very sluggish most days..am not financially stable - have a very small pension when I do retire- this worries me although i've worked 55+yrs and during this time, often had a second job as needed to change car or wanted a holiday etc etc...just need a sounding board if anyone else has/had a similar situation and feel unsure which 'road' to take...

Hi Bea, I had a bad fall down concrete steps and badly sprained my ankle 2 years ago at 71. For 2 months I was resting and doing very little and feeling sorry for myself. I had my usual check ups found that my blood pressure had improved nd was pre-diabetic though I was feeling lethargic and depressed. As I binged on social media Facebook , tried to follow on line exercise classes I spotted a local gym that catered for over 65’s I was assessed and went twice a week for 3months.. It was the best 3 months membership I could have done. I got stronger and fitter and socialised with like minded people which lifted my mood. I visited food banks to pick and choose the right fruits and vegetable for my health. I now do a bit of volunteering and social prescribing on line-phone work and babysitting. I would suggest you keep up with GP checks and ask your GP social services for a social prescriber to help you get well nd pick up.

I think you need to go to the GP too but I think working at 67 IS depressing if you don;t want to do it (fair enough if you do but being unmotivated about your job at 67 I would guess isn;t unusual) I have nothing to suggest sadly

Hello Bea. I am the same age as you and have experienced similar situations. Recovering from surgery/accidents then returning to work does take its toll, especially when we are older. I would say that 2 months post your fall is not very long to recover. I would recommend a check up with your GP before you return to work and then start this gradually if you are able to. Maybe initially working the 16hrs over 5 days and starting at 10.00. You could do this for a few weeks then reassess the situation. Perhaps you could give yourself 3 months or so to feel more like yourself before you make any major decisions. All the best.

@Dogsmother Unfortunately I have to agree with @Doodedog about jobs available to us once you are over 60. Not looking for aspirational jobs, just something maybe part time, local to bring in a little (needed) income and be of use to society maybe using skills honed over a lifetime of work.
Our competitors are students and younger fitter people wanting to combine a career with home responsibilities. Recruiters don’t want to consider older workers. I don’t know anyone who has got beyond the application stage. The exception is care work, where there’s a major shortage- and that involves heavy work (often lifting people) poor conditions, long hours very poor pay.

I worked full time till I was 73, even with a very bad back injury when I fell and fractured two lumbar in my spine at 71. I just powered through it.

Secondly, (and I do not know what British law is when it comes to pensions) I started taking my Social Security (in US) when I was 65 yrs old. So that monthly (pension) added on to my full time salary allowed me to SAVE extra every month towards retirement.

Can you draw on your pension at your age and keep working? That will give you a lift. But if you are medically incapable of working (only 16 hrs a week!) you need to go see your Doctor first.
Thinking of you 🙂
USA Gundy

I would give job up. Join U3A stretch and other enjoyable classes. You are getting older and will get tired. Learn to adjust without salary. Good luck

I retired from a job that I loved because I was literally coming back from work and going to bed.Initially treated for depression, but it turned out to be an under active thyroid - certainly worth getting it checked. Never returned to employment, I just sponge off my husband ( joke). I’m of the WASPI group, so feel shortchanged anyway.

At the moment you sound so tired you can’t think straight. So off to the Drs as others have said- your health is too important to ignore.

Then, have a good think about what you want to do in the coming years- and how work fits into that.
To help you plan, here is a link to the government’s benefits calculator. Try putting your details in with and without your salary and see just how much you would have. It’s not an application form, just a calculator.
You may also be entitled to reduced council tax if you are single and/or on a low income.

www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Hi, there is no point in trying to make a decision when you're not feeling well. As has been suggested, go and see your GP. He/She, will know what to look for if you have a blood test. One step at a time is the best way to proceed. Then hopefully, you can at least put your mind to rest before you make such an important decision. I do hope you feel better soon.

Low B12 really does make you feel tired - real fatigue like that is awful. If you think that might be the case, don't take supplements, but ask for a blood test when your levels are in their natural state, not made artificially high.

Also, be aware that B12 needs folate, iron and magnesium to work, so if your level are low, ask for these to be checked too. I have pernicious anaemia, and have been suffering from breathlessness for years now. I found out about the co-factors mentioned above, asked for bloods to be taken, and am now supplementing with them all. I think my breathing is improving (I hope so). I still have to have more tests to rule out other possibilities, but please don't underestimate the effects of low vitamin levels - they can be serious.

I don't believe that everyone who is entitled to pension credits does apply for them, it might increase your income to a level where you felt you could afford to retire completely?

www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

We rent out our tiny flat to a man in his nineties who claims pension credit and says that it's made a significant difference to being able to manage on his income.

I bet real police would be spluttering in their tea if they ever watched this ridiculous stuff.

pascal30

I bet real police would be spluttering in their tea if they ever watched this ridiculous stuff.

sorry.. wrong thread .. meant to be the Midsummer Murders!!

Doodle and Dizzy,
This is probably another thread however I can’t change my mind. Cleaning shelf filling, dog walking, envelope stuffing. Cake baking. On line selling with Etsy.
There really are always options for everyone not just youngsters.
You have to have a positive mindset and until you are fit and healthy it’s NOT simple. After that it really is.