Here’s the deal: My mother is 55 and has had multiple failed back surgeries. She can’t really get around without help and is in pain and on pain medication most of the time. Presently, she is in a nursing home in Florida. I live in Chicago.
She wants to get out of the nursing home because it is very depressing for her. A lot of the residents are older and have more severe illnesses. The problem is that my mother does not have any money saved up and I am only in my lower 20s and am not financially stable myself.
On the plus side, she is a fairly intelligent women and has a master’s degree in English.
Question: Does anyone know of any employment opportunities for a person suffering from a similar illness? Also, what other living options are there for people in her situation?
Any advice would be helpful. Even if you just know of an org or advocacy group to contact would be great. Thank you.
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She might be able to do work from home, perhaps in editing.
Contact the United Way in her area, and see if there is some occupational assessments that can be done for your mom, and possibly career placement, as well.
United Way is the fastest track to get your mother all the help she needs, because they have people who are experienced in linking all the available resources. Good luck — I hope you’ll also get your mom in to see a pain management specialist. It can make a world of difference.
Contact the nearest Independent Living Center (ILC). They should be able to give information about various living options in the community and maybe some possible information about employment opportunities.
Contact Vocational Rehabilitation at the state level and let them work with your mother in finding a job.
also, get in touch with Vocational Rehab-probably through your county social services
It all depends on how much can she do for herself..Maybe the nursing home is best for her until she can do more on her own…I would work on that before you start looking for work….Remember this one step at a time…..
If she has a master’s in English she should have lots of opportunities. Tutor neighborhood kids. Teach adult education. Be a professor at a community college. Proof read magazine copy. Edit student papers.
Alpine Access has work from home computer jobs available doing call answering and taking orders for various businesses. They pay 9 an hour and offer benefits. Simply do a search on Alpine Access.
As “Person with Disabilities” stated, contact the Independent Living Center and Vocational Rehabilitation. Every state has these organizations and agencies.
They will set her up with the appropriate resources and services she may need to help her move back into the community, set her up with benefits and help with employment goals!
I work for an Independent Living Center and I’m a person with a disability and have accessed services to help me become independent.
the list is endless, she can teach, public or private school. She can work in an office, or from home. She can read to the elderly or to children. Try non profit organizations, or try Craig’s list.