Sans, I have a friend in the extended care facility at our local hospital....Willows is building a new beautiful facility nearby....but visiting there all the time, I understand your hesitation for wanting to work in a facility like that though they desperately need very caring assistants as you are....IT'S HARD WORK & takes lots of patience as I'm sure you know after caring for your mom for 5 years.

In my little town we have a new branch of Cambellsville Univ that is a great way to get a practical skill certificate education in many areas including lab tech like areas or a more standard degree. Go figure, at my age I am even thinking of going back to get my masters in theology just for me if nothing more.

It's interesting because after driving those So Calif freeways all my life, I HATE driving intl Lexington now. I do it but I hate it....I avoid traffic whenever possible so I understand your phobia.

Also after caring for your mom for so many years sometimes it's GOOD to just take time for yourself without any major responsibilities thrown on you in the way of a job....it takes time to recover from the level of emotional intensity that kind of care requires. You will know when you are ready for more in the future.