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Guest Blog: Five Fulfilling Jobs Retirees Can Do From Home

Jim Vogel
ElderAction.org

October 5, 2016

Just a couple of decades ago, many seniors found it difficult to find employment — sometimes due to a lack of experience or knowledge about technology — but those days are over. Now, there are plenty of companies seeking employees who carry a stellar work ethic and will happily train prospects even for part-time work.

Perhaps you need to stay close to home during the day because of medication needs, a pet that requires care, or mobility disabilities. There are still plenty of job opportunities, if you know where to look! Here are a few of the best:

• In-home childcare through Sittercity.com. While this job requires a certain amount of patience and the potential child-proofing of your home, there may be several parents in your neighborhood who would love to find a trustworthy caregiver, perhaps after school or in between camp days during the summer. Set up a profile here and help moms and dads find your services.
• Dog-sitting with Rover.com. There are plenty of dog owners who need loving caregivers and/or dog walkers for their fur-babies while they’re at work, on vacation, or out of town and will bring them right to you. If you’re a dog owner yourself, it’s even more appealing to potential clients because they know their dogs can socialize rather than being boarded up in a kennel or left alone for hours at a time. Just set up a profile online and the pet owner will ask for a meet-and-greet to determine if you’re the right person for the job. Rover.com even offers a payment platform, so you don’t have to worry about the financial end of things. Image by Pixabay.
• Freelance writing. Have some skills with a pen or a keyboard? Many sites offer the chance to earn money by writing from home. For example, Craigslist.org offers jobs writing articles for blogs. Or, for more creative writing assignments, FreedomWithWriting.com collects several new monthly listings from various writing outlets, which accept short stories, poems, novellas, and editorials. Just be careful about offering your freelance services.
• Put your creativity to work. Turn your artistic hobbies and talents- sewing, woodworking, painting, and jewelry-making- into some quick cash with sites like Etsy.com. First, set up your own shop and fill it with any of your handcrafted goods. Then, build your fan base by sharing your creations on social media sites like Facebook.
• Event planning. This path will require dedication, organization, and a little bit of startup money to get going, but if you’re passionate about planning parties or weddings and receptions, it could prove to be very lucrative on a part-time schedule. Check out local bridal shows- usually held at hotels or convention centers in the spring and fall- for ideas and to get a feel for what clients may be looking for. Then, partner that with what you want to specialize in. Aside from potential demos and shows, the bulk of your event planning business can be done from the comfort of your own home. Setting up a blog or website- Wordpress.com offers easy platforms- will help you gain followers and show clients what you’re capable of.

Getting back into the workforce- even part-time- doesn’t have to be a stressful undertaking. You may have to get creative, but there are plenty of ways to make some extra money without drastically changing your lifestyle.

About Jim

Jim is passionate about promoting senior health. Jim and his wife created ElderAction after becoming caregivers for their aging parents.

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