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The JJs List Blog

Five Fulfilling Jobs That Seniors With Disabilities Can Do From Home

Posted by on October 12, 2016 - 3 Comments

For seniors with disabilities, finding suitable work can be a bit stressful. Finding a job that allows for a flexible schedule while accommodating differently-abled employees can be an overwhelming task, but there are wonderful jobs that can be done from home, offer good pay, and make for excellent opportunities for older adults. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look and what to look for regarding your strengths!

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Some who live with a disability require a quiet environment to work in, others may need a job that allows them to use special software for vision or hearing impairment. Others may have a disability that dictates the need for a job with few physical requirements. For all of these, there are options for working from home. Here are some of the best.

Dog boarding

Working with animals can be extremely fulfilling and calming, particularly if you work with non-threatening dogs. Forming a bond with a pet can help with empathy and coping skills, and for those who live with disabilities of all types, having a loving animal around can be advantageous. Fortunately, there is a site called Rover.com that assists pet owners and responsible caregivers in finding one another. There could be dozens of people near you who need boarding or dog walking services while they’re away for work or vacation, and many of them will bring their pet right to you.

Freelance writing

If you have a flair for writing, there are plenty of blogs, online magazines, and publishers on the lookout for new and diverse voices. Check out places like HelloGiggles.com, Buzzfeed.com, and FreedomWithWriting.com to see what the current needs are, and be sure to research their contributor how-tos first, as they are all different. Some publishers require you to pitch them an idea first before sending an article or essay. If your talents lie more on the creative end of the spectrum, FreedomWithWriting can give you the names of several places that are actively seeking short stories, novellas, and poetry.

Home call center operator

Many call centers hire customer service operators who can work from home, and they will usually offer extensive training and competitive pay. Many businesses will send you a script to read from for various customer questions; others may require you to log on for live chats with customers. Base pay for these jobs is usually anywhere from $8 – $15 per hour, depending on your experience and the company’s needs. You can try WorkingSolutions.com, LiveOps.com, or Sykes.com for job postings.  

Tutoring

If you have experience with art, music, language, or math, tutoring could be an excellent option for working from home. Not only does it allow a flexible schedule, but you can take on as many — or as few — students as you want to avoid getting overwhelmed. The pay for tutoring jobs varies, but depending on the needs of the student you may have steady work for quite some time.

Put your creativity to work

If you enjoy making things and have a bit of business knowledge, starting your own shop on Etsy.com can be extremely lucrative and enjoyable. Whether it’s sewing and embroidering, hand-crafting wood items, or painting, there are tons of options as long as you make it yourself. Setting up a shop is easy and allows for customers to choose their payment option through the site, so you know your money is safe.

Living and working with a disability as a senior doesn’t have to be a stressful undertaking. There are many options for every type of ability if you know where to look. And if more than one job seems appealing, it might be helpful to make a list first of all your strengths and the pros/cons of each opportunity. Narrowing down the field is sometimes the easiest way to make a decision.

Thanks to Jim Vogel from Elderaction.org for contributing to this blog!  Jim and his wife created ElderAction after becoming caregivers for their aging parents. Their
mission is to help ensure seniors are able to thrive throughout their golden years.

3 Comments

Abegail J. Stahr says:
Oct 18, 2016

I thought this article was very interesting for me to read, My grandma who is no longer with us, had a Short-term memory lost which is a form of a disability in many ways, I think. I am not totally sure about that one, is it? I think she had a form mild Alzheimer, too. GREAT JOB.

Victor Malca Law P.A. says:
Nov 28, 2019

Freelance writing is one of the best home based job. These are all making sense. Thanks for sharing.

haryythomas says:
Jul 20, 2020

I like how you talked about how you didn’t have the urge to go to piano after you quit violin, but eventually over time it grew on you because of talking to your friends. Overall it was a good piece.

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