How Part-Time Work Can Enhance Mental and Physical Well-Being for Seniors

Part-time work can enhance mental and physical well-being for seniors in a myriad of ways; the most obvious is staying mentally stimulated.  I have researched healthy aging and explored ways to prevent the onset of dementia or, as I often joke with friends, “senior brain.”  The volume of available resources is extensive, but there is a common thread and that is the idea of remaining mentally stimulated. As long as the mind remains active, we can reduce the likelihood of mental deterioration.  Of course, the same could be said of the body (and it is said).  The more active we remain through walking, exercise and practicing some form of mindfulness, the greater the likelihood is that we will live a longer, healthier life.

Stay mentally stimulated.  My 96-year old mother is still very sharp mentally, despite some physical constraints.  For years, she has done crossword puzzles as well as playing sudoku, free cell and some in-person games like MahJong.  She subscribes to our local newspaper and follows current events.  Although hard of hearing, she eagerly engages in conversation about what’s going on in the world.  She streams a variety of TV shows and also follows the news.  On top of this, sends me dozens of texts all day long from her iPhone and this always includes her daily Wordle score.   In short, she keeps her mind active and, at 96, there are truly no signs of dementia.  Of course, my mother is not looking for part-time work.  However, she worked until she was about 80 and, after her position was eliminated due to a company sale, she actually picked up a few clients and did some part time bookkeeping.  At 80!  At the time, I remember thinking to myself that I would retire considerably younger and spend my senior years traveling and taking it easy.  

As it turns out, I am semi-retired now, but I work part-time.  I teach pilates about 12-15 hours/week and I spend at least as many hours writing, mostly for no pay.  One of these days, I hope to turn my writing into income but, for now, I write for love.  Alex (my Riff on Jobs business partner) and I produce a monthly career transition newsletter together and we post new blogs weekly.  In addition, I recently started my own personal blog.  At the moment, I focus on how current events are  influencing me.  However, since it is my own personal blog that no one else edits, who knows where it may go.  The reward I get from my writing  is immeasurable.  I also consult with a business owner to discuss digital marketing strategies.  The owner has become a friend and colleague and we both mutually learn and benefit from our weekly calls.  

Maintain a sense of purpose and self esteem.  Our professional lives often provide us with a sense of purpose, learning opportunities, a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and even a great sense of pride, depending on our relationship with our work. (And, yes, some jobs merely provide a paycheck).  I held several different jobs during my full-time professional career.  Whether I loved my job or viewed it as a stepping stone to a better opportunity, there was always something I could feel good about.  For all the years I worked in Healthcare Information Technology, I had the personal reward and satisfaction of knowing that I was doing work that helped caregivers who, in turn, cared for patients.  Even though I was not providing direct patient care, I felt I was making a difference, and that gave me a sense of purpose.  

Once you are no longer at that full time career job, it’s easy to lose your self-esteem or sense of purpose.  Part-time work, including volunteer work, can help fill the gap. There are organizations like SCORE where retired individuals coach people who are starting businesses.  They provide their professional expertise to help others.  I am sure this gives them a great sense of purpose and it certainly helps those of us who have the opportunity to benefit from their guidance.  In that same context, I feel great personal reward when I have the opportunity to help others.  Sometimes it is as simple as teaching a friend or acquaintance how to do something you are expert at (or, in my case, helping my friends by reading, commenting on and occasionally editing their writing).   

Earn Extra income and Reduce Stress.  If you have planned for your retirement and saved money, you may not need extra income.  However, with the ever increasing cost of living and family health needs, sometimes your financial needs may be greater than what you had planned or allocated for your retirement.  If that is the case, some part-time work can provide just enough extra income to reduce stress.   My retirement happened to coincide with my mother’s deteriorating physical health and I was concerned about being able to provide her with financial assistance, something that I would barely have noticed when I had a steady paycheck.  I planned well for retirement and, without unplanned expenses, part-time work would not really be necessary.  However, just knowing that I had enough part-time work to cover my incidentals and provide me with “fun money” reduces my stress incredibly.  I am fortunate to be at an age where I can collect Social Security without penalty, so that is also very reassuring.  The reality is that most of my part-time earnings pay for food and self-care, which can be anything from taking an exercise class, to getting an acupuncture treatment, a massage, facial or manicure.  I’m grateful not to have major bills.  Nonetheless, the extra disposable income is nice to have.  The financial comfort the extra money brings most definitely affects my mental health in a positive way.   

Physical well being.  The mind and body are inextricably linked.  Deteriorating physical health can impact us mentally and vice versa.  However, keeping the mind active working allows us to keep using our bodies - eyes, ears, fingers, etc.  If a part-time job is in-person, then we have to get ourselves there, either by walking, driving or taking public transportation.  If a job is entirely remote, we may be on phone calls or zoom meetings, and that will require at least a modicum of personal hygiene (i.e., washing our face, brushing and flossing our teeth and keeping the cobwebs out of our hair, for those of us who still have hair).  In short, the act of working should also keep us physically moving.  Having a reason to get out of bed in the morning is a good thing.

Conclusion.  After retirement and well into one's senior years, there are countless benefits to part-time work.  It can provide income, a sense of self worth and physical and mental well-being.  Even for those who do not need extra income, time spent doing volunteer work may also provide similar rewards.  Consider enhancing your senior years with part-time work.  The benefits are endless.