New Job Anxieties
By YoghurtGal
@flapiz (24116)
United Kingdom
October 8, 2026 5:10pm CST
So as what I have written before I had started a new support role helping the elderly in their homes. It’s been a week of working now and here is how I feel so far.
I do love the hours. Just short shift in a day 2-5hours and I love helping the elderly. But lately I am experiencing some hardships and it is causing me so much anxiety and back pain. Some of my clienteles are a bit challenging. One lady is in a care home and although I work as her companion for only 2 hours it feels like I worked a very long day after being with her. She has a habit of sliding down her wheelchair and after 8 repositions today I feel like I busted my back. This should not be happening for a 2 hour shift. This was my second shift with her. The first one was really hard but I wanted to give it another go and try again. But I feel like she will break my back or she will have a fall and I would be legally liable somehow.
I am trying to muster the courage to tell our work scheduler that this lady and I are not a good fit. As everytime I come home from shift with her I feel my back is very painful and I literally feel febrile. I do not want to be choosy but I also want her to have the best care there is and I think a stronger carer will be better for her. What do you think guys should I endure or should I say something before it burns me out.
9 people like this
9 responses
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
9h
@AmbiePam Yeah I think I shall call about it tomorrow. Because honestly I chose this job knowing the pay is less so that I can be less stressed and more safe health wise. But if I am going to be putting my back on the line I might as well go back to nursing and get properly paid for it so I can afford healthcare if I injure myself. It is also better for the patient to have a carer that can handle her behavioural issues better.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (63933)
•
10h
It sounds like she needs some medical attention, she will end up sliding completely out of her wheelchair when someone isn't with her constantly. Yes, you need to say that she is doing this and how often, that you are afraid for her. And I know that lifting is part of being a caregiver for certain people, it can be very hard.
3 people like this
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
10h
I am sure you are not supposed to lift you can only assist. The problem is she cooperates with someone else but not with me. Apparently because I am new she is testing me. It is a behavioural issue and I really do not want to sacrifice my back to satisfy her test.
2 people like this
@septabchips (2097)
• United Kingdom
9h
That is a good point. If she keeps sliding down her wheelchair, the care team needs to know how frequently it is happening and assess what support she needs. It sounds like the situation needs more attention than one carer simply trying harder.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (63933)
•
9h
@flapiz
I am sorry that is happening, I hope you can get it switched out somehow.
2 people like this
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
Just now
Yes no kidding. I can’t believe 2 hours can feel like an eternal punishment my back is really stiff. And now I am starting to dread coming back there. I can’t wait for today’s shift to finish so I can talk to the scheduler.
@LadyDuck (504640)
• Italy
3h
This lady seems to have a problem and you absolutely have to explain what is going on.
If you are not supposed to lift the patients, they must know what is happening. Do not risk that she fell and you could be considered responsible because you tried to lift the lady when you should not.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
2h
12 years in nursing and I know lifting is illegal. I know we could assist but definitely not pull and lift but the care home lifts her. And she does help them but with me she goes limp. I dread for my back and for her bones. Also we are not connecting well to be honest. I try to make conversation but it keeps on dying. So I don’t think she will ever be cooperative.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
2h
My health is my priority and the main reason why I moved to support jobs rather than full on nursing. But it looks like depending on client support work can sometimes be challenging.
I am going to call them this afternoon and I hope they don’t take it against me and help me out by changing my patient.
1 person likes this
@septabchips (2097)
• United Kingdom
9h
I think you should speak to your scheduler rather than endure it and risk your health. You can care about someone and still recognise when a situation is beyond what you can safely manage. Your back pain after just two hours is a serious concern, and the right support matters for both you and the client. You are not being choosy by raising it.
2 people like this
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
2h
I will try to call them this afternoon after my shifts. I am building up the courage to do so. At least if I say so now they would find time to replace me by Tuesday next week. Yes back pain after 2 hours is not acceptable. And this is only my first week at work. I don’t think I’d last long to be honest.
@Orson_Kart (8842)
• United Kingdom
1h
You should definitely say something, and you should have called for help the previous times that she has slid down her wheelchair. You are no good to anyone if you end up on the sick with a bad back. It takes two people to safely lift someone, even a light body.
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
2h
I will call them today to voice out my concerns after the first shift they asked me how it went and I did say it was not so great but I will try to give it another go and I think I tried and just not good.
@flapiz (24116)
• United Kingdom
2h
The 8 repositions was just within the hour when I was with her in the lounge. We got kicked out of the lounge because of her sliding and I had to do couple more up the dining area for another hour.
