Is 69 too old to be looking for work?
By mipen2006
@mipen2006 (5528)
Australia
October 1, 2009 12:15am CST
I'm 69, and I would like to find a job. Now I'm not looking for high wages, only would require accommodation in return for part=time, or casual work. At present, my wife and I are house sitting, which means we can survive on my pension. However, my wife has to return to Thailand in the near future, which leaves me alone for the next year to eighteen months, so working for my accommodation seems a good alternative. Any ideas or suggestions?
4 people like this
21 responses
@artistry (4151)
• United States
1 Oct 09
...Hi mipen2006, Well the fact that you are interested in finding work, would mean to me anyway, that you feel you are capable of doing the work. There are jobs that you can do from home over the telephone. I am not sure if you are in the United States, but if you are, go on the computer and research Purple Heart, they are a non-profit group. You would call people from home and schedule pick-ups of donated clothes and household articles that are still usable. They pay you every two weeks, based on the number of donations you schedule and are picked up. If you live some place else, see if there are similar organizations there. You are never too old, if you are able to perform, in fact working helps you stay active and involved. Take care.
2 people like this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
Hey artistry, I'm in Australia, until I qualify for my pension to be paid in Thailand, then I will move back there to reunite with my wife. Thanks for your suggestion, I'm sure there will be a similar organization here. Thanks for your valuable response.
@doglady112 (604)
• Canada
1 Oct 09
I don't think it's too old. These days it's a must for seniors to hold some type of employment because of all the scammers out there. Really if your wife is leaving you alone maybe it's a good thing to have something to do while she's away. It'll keep you occupied. Good for you and go for it. Just take of yourself make sure you don't get sick.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
Hi doglady, not only will it give me something to do, but it will help to pass the time a little quicker. Thanks for taking time to respond.
@popciclecold (39521)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Hello mipen, I don'think 69 is too old for looking for work. You say you do house sitting, why not continue with that I hear it is pretty good. You can offer references, In facty I hear the is a field pretty hard to get into, because you really have to be trustworthy. My grandmother did this kind of work and she was 79. So I would search the web diligently, because ther are people going someplace, and need a reliable house sitter, especially in the hours we are living now. Best of luck popciclecold
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hey popiciclecold, house sitting is great, but my wife has to return to Thailand in January because of strict visa regulations here, and it's not so easy getting sits, for me alone. However, I will be looking at that, but need a plan B also. Thanks for your valuable input.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
Thanks popciclecold, now that's an idea. I never thought of that, but it's certainly worth following up. Thank you very much for the idea.
@popciclecold (39521)
• United States
2 Oct 09
mipen, the more I mylot with you the more I learn how fully loaded you are with talent. You taught english in a school. Have you ever thought to teach english to people, who speak spanish. They would love to learn. Heck I'm a 60 year old black woman, and I work at a store cooking chicken, and whenever someone comes in, and they speak no englis, they have me to wait on them. What I learned, they taught me , and I taught them, and popciclecold ain't no teacher. You already got it made. popciclecold
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
12 Oct 09
hi mike,
an online job would suit u best, i think. u have your computer. that way you can manage your time, that means you're your own boss. when you feel like sleeping and lazy, then u can. when u want to do a 24 hour typing, then its work.
hey, your wife's visa was approved and she is still in australia? wow! that's great.
ann
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Oct 09
Hi Ann, actually, I'd like to find something where I'm working with real people. I thing customer service, or assistant accountant, but part time or casual. It's not easy when we don't know where we are moving to next.
As far as my aife's visa extension, we are still waiting for a decision from imigration. The stress of not knowing, and not being able to plan is very frustrating. They have no idea of the human side of things. Thanks for your interest, ann. Mike.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
Newsweek said that 80 is the new 50. So get those muscles moving and find work. Age is not the requirement. It is the ability and the intelligence. Wish you luck!
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi eileenleyva, it's things like that, that keep my hopes high. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@iceydon (342)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
For me age should not hinder anyone to work as long as the person can physically do the work. But if he'll just be forcing himself to work without considering its health effects I think he should think for nth time.Many are forced to work because they still support remoras that depend on them financially.In your case its a good alternative to work since youll be alone. Its a good way to keep self busy so to avoid loneliness.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
I am still fit, and if I didn't have to return to Australia for two years,so the government will pay my pension in Thailand, I would still be teaching there. I was offered another year by the university there. I won't be laying bricks, that's for sure! Thanks for your input iceydon.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
No not the strictest teacher around, but I do command respect. Thanks for your comments.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hey calias, the mind's OK, but I won't be laying bricks! Thanks for responding.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Oct 09
no, i dont think so. you need to survive and if that means looking for work, go for it. is there anywhere that you can look online for jobs for older workers? how about some local employment agencies? in this economy, i think anything is possible.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi cher, survival is the key word here. I have to support two adults, in different countries, on a single person's Australian pension. This is impossible unless I can subsidise the pension in some way. I'm not looking to earn too much, as I could lose my benefit, but if I could make enough to send to my wife each month, without compromising my pension, I would be happy. Thanks for your input.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Oct 09
hi mipen 2006 nope 69 is not too old I worked until I
'was 79 in our Tustin branch of the orange county library'system and enjoyed my work very much. That would be perfect for you
if you could get a job with accommodations for you since
your wife has to return to Thailand. I would search in
the help wanted section of your daily newspaper for'
live in jobs maybe a house boy type thing or gardener or
butler that type of thing.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
Wow, Hately, that's great. I only plan to work so I can afford to send my wife some money while I am here in Australia. When I return to Thailand we have plans for making, and growing things to sell at local markets there. I hope a job will make the time go a little quicker. Mike.
@brightyoung (4)
•
1 Oct 09
Sincerely, I support your looking for a job. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. Well I have no idea where you can get one now as most employers would not normerly employ people of your age. Anyway, I suggest you start with a learnt trade or you learn a trade and start doing something. You can also start rendering little services such as typing for people. All these will not actually fetch you much money. It will just keep you busy as you expect. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi brightyoung, I only want a casual or part time job, but would like accommodation as well. I have to provide for my wife, who has to return to Thailand in January, as well as support myself here. All this on a single Australian pension is impossible. Thanks for your response.
@Milesxiao (104)
• China
1 Oct 09
Usually at this age, one is not fit for huntting a job in market, with too many barriers in front of him. As you konw, now many young men also are in unemployement state.
Some vocations may have no prejudice, such as education, medical, they ofter employ the retired as consultant. And I suggest if you have some favorite which you want to familar with, you could spend sometime on it.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
HI milesxiao, I wouldn't like to take a job away from an unemployed person, but there must be work that's only available for a few hours a week, which would suit someone like me. That's what I'm looking for.
@vopols (204)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
I don't think being 69 is old enough to find a job. As long as your capable of doing the things in which a company is requiring. Yes you are 69 but your ideas towards job or work can be very helpful to newbies. You are more experience than any other individuals around.
You are looking for a job not to earn but simply to learn and to challenge yourself. Your wife will be leaving soon so instead of staying home and watch TV find a part time in order for you to meet new people.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi vopols, youmake a lot of sense, and give me some confidence and hope for the future. My real goal is to get this time behind me so I can join my wife again in Thailand. Thank you for responding. Mike.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
1 Oct 09
From where I stand, people about 69 years old are too old to work again. In my country, people like you are enjoying a happy life everyday and don't look for any jobs for they have been retired.
Nowadays, your idea is just to get a job and work for your accommodation, but I think it is a little wrong for there are almost no jobs for you and most jobs maybe be dangerous for people 69 years old.
If you really want some extra money, perhaps you can gain some online, such as myLot. Hope you looking a proper job as soon as possible.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hello getbrowser, I was teaching English as a Second Language, until recently, and the university wanted to contract me for this year, and beyond, so they didn't think I was too old. I'm looking for a year while my wife and I are seperated, due to Australian social security, and immigration rules. Thanks for responding.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
2 Oct 09
Ahh, home, what great words of encouragement, I will certainly try. Thanks for your input.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
1 Oct 09
no ideas or suggestions really but any kind of light and part-time job should suit you fine. Since money is not the problem here, so take you time. Few of us can afford this luxury of picking and choosing jobs while in our youth, so enjoy this freedom. Ideally, it should be a part-time job, near your home so that you can walk (best exercise in old age) and not involve much physical labour. Maybe taking care of a library or a doctors’ chamber for some part of the day…something like this.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi sudiptacallingu, it would definitely be light duties. I won't be a builder's labourer, that's for sure! Thanks for your valuable input.
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
I think the issue here is whether one can still do the job or not. At this age, we have very limited options and as far as getting employed in a company is concerned, I think it is out of the question because of age limits. We just may have to narrow down our search.
Self employment or engage in a small business we can manage like opening up a store of anything that suits our training and inclination maybe the only option left, I am not sure. But certainly it is a good option to pursue.
This is a tough case, and I hope you may find something soon.
cheers.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hey couple of hours a day, or two or three days a weeemanong, actually I'm not looking for full time employment, but just a few hours a week. Maybe bookeeping, or part time teaching English somewhere. Thanks for your response.
@buzzmaker (630)
• India
1 Oct 09
I think as long as you can move around independently and are in a good health, age should not be a bar to look for work. As long as these factors are satisfied, there is no problem with work in this age or even older age.
In fact it will be good for you and you'll be in a good shape :) I believe that human body is designed to work. If one starts working, the body starts rusting. I have seen many examples like this in my family itself. As long as they continue to work (not only office work, nor 'heavy' physical work ) they stay fit and fine.
Do look for a job which you think you can do at this age without compromising your Health factor. All the best!!
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hey buzzmaker, I can assure you the last thing I want to do is take on something that would compromise my health. I won't be laying bricks! I was still under contract to my university in Thailand when I decided I should complete two years on the pension in Australia - a government requirement - so I could live comfortably on the pension in Thailand. Thanks for your input.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Age is irrelevant I think. It is what you are physically and mentally capable of doing. I am sure you could find some work somewhere. There are good casual jobs out there that may suit you. Retail would be good and there is data entry although the latter would drive me nuts! Every now and again I've seen caretaking jobs that include accommodation in the paper. Found this link; don’t know if it has any useful info in it.
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/Jobwise/matureAge/FAQ/Pages/faq01.aspx
NOT A REFERRAL LINK
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hey pauls, thanks for the input, and the link. I haven't really started looking yet, but I'll definitely need something to pass the time when my wife returns to Thailand. Take care. Mike.
1 person likes this
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
1 Oct 09
I don't think there is anything wrong with that. As long as the person is still physically and mentally able to do it. But as long as the employer is open to the idea of hiring a more mature worker. I know there is some places that won't hire the older people.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi nijolechu, I'm looking for a few hours a week to substitute my pension. Maybe a company has extra work that requires someone a few days a month, well that would be fine. I can't afford to pay accommodation, and keep my wife in Thailand, on the pension here in Australia. Thanks for your input.
@JohnJeff (720)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 09
I think the suit job for you is freelance writer.We still can get money to send article to magazine or internet.At the age 69 you must rich with experience.Use your valueable experience and share with others.Check out accontent.com to get money by sending articles.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Hi JohnJeff, thanks for the information, I will check that link out when I finish here. It could be just what I'm looking for.