6 Best Part-Time Jobs for Disabled Seniors and Retirees

Working a part-time job as a senior citizen is an excellent way to maintain your independence as you age, helping you to stay vital and active. It’s also an opportunity for valuable social interaction, and can give you a wonderful sense of accomplishment in retirement. It can be challenging for seniors or older workers, especially veterans with disabilities, to find rewarding, flexible work options, but there are more choices for part-time jobs for seniors than you might realize.

Having a part-time job in retirement can also help supplement your monthly income and extend your fixed-income budget. A little extra money every month can also help with expenses as living options can be more expensive as a senior citizen with medical and assisted living expenses.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 40 percent of people over the age of 55 in the United States are working or actively looking for work (even part-time employment). This percentage of working seniors is expected to increase faster for individuals ages over 65 years as baby boomers start to age. Finding work as an elder has never been more accessible, especially with technology and service options.

Best part-time jobs for seniors

When you’re looking for part-time work for seniors, ensuring your new job is accessible and flexible is key. Many retirees choose to work from home or attend community colleges to gain new skills for their job search and open up new job opportunities. However, that’s not compulsory in finding a good job in retirement.

Here are a few ideas for great, flexible part-time jobs for the elderly, disabled seniors, or retired individuals:

1. Become a dog walker

Through dog walking, you can easily connect to people in your area who need their pups taken care of during the day. You choose the jobs you take, so you can easily work around your own schedule and abilities — if you can’t walk for extended periods, aim to work with smaller dogs who need less exercise, for example. It’s a great way to get out and meet people, even if it’s just chatting with a neighbor at the dog park. Exercise, fresh air, and an adorable companion — it’s tough to find a downside!

2. Freelance your work

On Guru or Upwork, you can find freelance work for just about any field. Freelance work is a great, work-from-home option that anyone can do, regardless of age. Writing, marketing, design, finance, and translation are just a few areas you can search for work. 

Create a profile describing the kind of work you’re looking for so employers can easily find you in a search. Or find jobs yourself by browsing through different categories and providing completed work samples to interested employers. You’ll collaborate to come up with deadlines and only take on as much work as you choose to. Go with the field you specialize in, or try something entirely new. Digital freelance work is a perfect part-time job for disabled seniors as you only need internet access and computer know-how to do it, and can set your own schedule.

3. Be a stylist

If fashion is your passion, help women find their own personal style through Stitch Fix. As a stylist, you’ll help your client try new trends and styles all from your own home computer. It’s personally rewarding because you’ll be boosting confidence by helping others create a look that’s all their own and makes them feel beautiful. It’s professionally rewarding because on top of the styling experience, you’ll have ongoing education and training through the website to stay current. And on top of everything else, you choose your hours and make it work for your schedule. There are similar sites for interior design and other types of creative work, so be sure to do some exploring.

4. Babysit

Become a babysitter with UrbanSitter and help build your caregiving and social skills while spending time with awesome kids. Take jobs that fit around your schedule and even set your own rates. Tailor your jobs to your needs: for example, if you have a bad back and can’t lift young children, look for opportunities with older kids.

5. Tutor

Becoming a tutor with Student Tutor’s part-time jobs for seniors gives you the opportunity to sharpen all kinds of skills. You’ll learn to communicate more clearly and effectively, how to troubleshoot problems with another person, and the importance of taking different approaches with different audiences. You can meet at a public library that’s sure to be accessible to your needs, or opt to do sessions online only, making this an ideal job for a disabled senior looking to stay mentally sharp.

Not totally sure what part-time job you want?

Try different things! Use Virtual Vocations to find temp work in law, health care, accounting, human resources, marketing, consulting, and much more. Look for different opportunities in different areas: try technical writing one week and switch it up with data entry the next week. The best part is, all the jobs are remote and can be performed right from home. No commuting across town, and no worrying about having the necessary accommodations in your new workplace.

Additionally, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides part-time community service training positions to persons age 55 and older. These can be great, government-sponsored jobs for individuals as they near retirement age.

Finding part-time work is great; but finding flexible part-time work you enjoy that will truly fulfill you is even better! Keep these tips in mind when looking for accessible part-time work as you get older to help with your community, socialization, and additional income.

About the Author

Rebecca Moore is the co-founder of Able Rise, a site providing resources for those with disabilities as well as their loved ones. She is passionate about accessibility and the creation of better accommodations for those living with disabilities.