Seniors Working From Home

It's been stated that many seniors fear nursing homes more than death.

How horrible is that? REALLY horrible, I'd say! Moving to a nursing home is many times a life-changing event brought about by loss of income - the income that enabled that senior to keep his or her home or afford the rent payments.

It's a terrible loss if independence.

According to a study commissioned by Clarity and the EAR Foundation, 89% of seniors want to “age in place” - stay in their homes - but a whopping 53% or more have a concern that they’re actually going to be able to pull if off. While a big percentage of seniors are open to using technologies that help with independence, like home care systems and home care software (stuff Baby Boomers are looking at), most just want to be productive & useful.

As in earning-a-paycheck useful.

The internet will tell you there are plenty of ways a senior citizen can earn a little extra money. Check it out:

• provide services as a Consultant for the career you once loved, but can no longer do;

• tutor in a subject you’re well-versed;

• learn to become a tax preparer – it’s seasonal, but then again you are just a senior, right?

• how about learning medical billing and coding?

Sound great? No?

I get you. At age 68, soon-to-be-69, I was working a full-time job as a customer service representative (not my field of interest but I was very good at it). The company I worked for had management between the ages of 28 and 42 with the “sweet spot” being age 30-ish.

Albeit illegal, they were trying to oust anyone over the age of 60. They’d do this by stating “your job has been eliminated,” or “we are downsizing and your position is being absorbed by another department,” and the good, ‘ol gas-lighting reason of “we’ve been monitoring your work and do not feel this job is a good fit for you, anymore.” See how cleverly they use verbiage to make you feel they’re working in YOUR best interest?

Now if you think I was just being paranoid, let me assure you that when someone age 72, great at her job - there every day – pleasant to work with – gets ousted on that ‘position being downsized’ lingo and two days later her job is placed as an opening on the company’s “hub” – you realize just how UNparanoid you are … and that your days are numbered, as well.

Whatever the reason, you get the picture.

So … what are seniors to do? What did I do when this was my scenario?

No matter what you've been told, age is just a number. Seniors have sharp minds, strong work ethics, the ability to apply new things they learn, and most still enjoy getting a paycheck every 2 weeks…might even NEED that paycheck every 2 weeks.

Here’s a thought. Check out working-from-home!

It's exactly what I did … and am doing! And I love it!

I'm not talking arts and crafts, painting pet rocks, clipping coupons (because a penny saved is a penny earned, right?), or anything like that.

As an independent contractor for a wonderful little company out of St. Charles, Missouri, I was able to choose a Fortune 500 Company who offered work that matched my skill set, attend online classes to hone my skills to meet the Client’s needs, and work-from-home on a schedule that revolves around my family obligations & lifestyle – not the other way around.

So easy your cat may join you.

I'm a Customer Service Professional on my terms ...

and it's a great way to earn needed extra income.

If, perchance, your previous work experience didn't involve using a computer and phone and you’re concerned that you don’t know “enough” to do the customer service thing at home, don’t despair. Where there’s a will, there’s a way to learn about computers.

So put that frown away and investigate one of the many work-at-home opportunities to serve a Fortune 500 company by taking inbound calls. You and your bank account will be so much happier.

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