Caring for a loved one at home can be an expensive undertaking and one that can often place caregivers and their families in a financially vulnerable position. However, there are a number of resources and flexible work-at-home options available for at-home caregivers:
In some states, you can get paid for your work as a caregiver. Contact your local Area Agency on the Aging office (find yours via the Eldercare Locator) to determine if your state has such a program and if you meet its eligibility requirements.
Some long-term care insurance policies offer benefits such as home care coverage and a few “permit family members to be paid” according to Carol Levine of AARP. If the person in your care has a policy, be sure to speak with the agent about this possibility.
hose serving as the primary caregiver to a post-9/11 veteran may be eligible for home care coverage and other benefits Interested caregivers should call 1-877-222-VETS to learn more. The Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit is another resource for caregivers of veterans or their surviving spouses.
Check out these 15 surprising home-based jobs, spanning from a bilingual senior technical advisor or grant writer to a community gardens director (WorkingMother.com).
Search for legitimate home-based work via sites like Rat Race Rebellion (for various flex opportunities), Elance.com (for freelance writing work), Odesk.com (for web design work), and AlpineAccess (for call center specialist positions).
Do you speak another language? You might be able to find flexible work as a translator or interpreter. Search for opportunities here.
This AARP article offers several diverse ideas for work-from-home jobs suited for retirees. Check out the list for detailed information about each position.
Dig deeper: If you need to modify your home to provide better care, you may qualify for some financial resources. Read our blog post, Where the Heart Is: How to Pay for Home Modifications, to learn more.
