How Old Is To Old?

Just under a week ago on Meridian Tonight there was footage of George Gibbs aged 83 driving around daily searching for work. Today George has started work for Pimlico Plumbers of London as a van driver. But the question has to be asked how old is to old when it comes to work?

The "oldest person" on record to have been in employment was 104 year old Buster Martin, who also worked for Pimlico Plumbers, where he cleaned their vans up until the day he died. Buster was employed by the London plumbing company for approximately 7 years. Buster stated 'bordem' for his return to work.

Buster was not the only person to work past the magical age of 100 either. Jim Webber aged 105 was also working up until the age of 104 as a gardener in the town of Stoke Abbott. Jim worked as a farmer in Stoke Abbott until his retirement in 1975, but also couldn't be doing with 'sitting' around doing nothing like the 'normal' retired person, so went and started a gardening business where he worked for £2 an hour (raising to £3 because of the increasing price of fuel for his tractor!).

I'm sure many people would think 'they are far to old to be working!', but are they? If some one is fit and healthy and their job keeps them going, surely they should be allowed to do this. It mobilises them for a longer period and gives them something to get up for in the mornings.

Tender Loving Carers try as hard as we can to brighten a service users day and give them something to get up for. If we can help them to get out and keep active we will. Whether it be organising for them to go to a day centre to socialise or organising for them to go to an art class for an hour a week. Each year we organise a Christmas Party to bring our service users together to socialise with people their own age, and get them out of their house for a few hours.

So when you next think 'I don't want to go to work' or 'I don't like my job', just think what your job might mean to an older person.

Elliot Masters
Administration Apprentice