Children spend a lot of time talking about what they want to be when they grow up. They pepper their conversations with dreams of becoming firefighters, police officers, ballerinas, singers, and whatever pops into their brains at the moment. When they grow up, do they stop dreaming? Did you? In addition to other benefits, working in retirement may give you the chance to dream again.
Reasons for Working in Retirement
Who says life has to end at retirement? Maybe there’s something you’ve always wanted to try or a hobby you could turn into a part time job. Let’s look at some of the benefits of working in retirement.
Social Connection
First, seniors who obtain part time work tend to have more social connections. It allows them to meet new people and establish a whole new network of friends they may otherwise never have met. We know that isolation can lead to mental decline, and working in retirement can help a senior feel less isolated, particularly if they don’t have family nearby.
Better Mental and Physical Health
While many seniors become more sedentary during retirement, those who work part-time jobs stay more active, contributing to their physical health. Active seniors have lower blood pressure, healthier hearts, and fewer physical ailments.
In addition, a job can give a senior a sense of purpose. Just having a reason to leave the house and knowing that people are counting on them can create a sense of determination. This is especially true when that job impacts others, like a job at SHS.
Supplemental Income
Who couldn’t use a little extra spending money? Many seniors talk about being on a limited budget, but working in retirement could help provide a little margin to supplement social security or a pension.
Working a Job that Makes a Difference
As we’ve mentioned before, a job with Seniors Helping Seniors can give all the above benefits and more! Not only will you improve your mental and physical health, become more socially active, and supplement your income, you’ll make a difference in the life of a senior and his or her family. To learn how you and the client can benefit from working with us, read this account from one of our dedicated caregivers.
If you or someone you know has retired (age 50 and above) and would enjoy working for SHS, please reach out to us. You can fill out the form at this link, or call us at 804-921-4280. You’ll be so glad you did!