The growing popularity of online jobs has been an equalizer for people who struggle to land traditional jobs. This includes senior citizens – who had difficulty commuting to and from offices due to their age and health.
That said, seniors still have many challenges to overcome in remote work. Factors like unfamiliarity and lack of computer skills for seniors, health conditions, and age-related bias continue to negatively impact their remote work experience.
Fortunately, there are also many ways for seniors to overcome these remote work challenges with the help of their loved ones and employers. Here are some of them.
Enhance Your Digital Literacy
One main reason seniors remain hesitant to shift to remote work is because they don’t have sufficient digital literacy. Many Filipino seniors, especially those in rural areas, struggle to use computers, limiting their ability to work online.
Even before the pandemic, the government already acknowledged this problem. Programs like the Tech4ED project aim to bridge the digital divide and improve every Filipino’s digital literacy.
The best way for seniors to overcome their lack of computer skills is by applying to these programs and other online courses to upskill themselves. Some employers also provide training programs to teach senior workers to use company-specific tools and software.
Remember, you can also ask your tech-savvy family members for help if you’re having difficulty using an app or encountering a problem with your computer.
Get Company Assistance to Acquire the Tools You Need
Besides lacking the right skills, many seniors also don’t have the necessary equipment to do their jobs. This isn’t exclusive to seniors, as many younger Filipino remote workers struggle to procure their own work computers/laptops.
In addition, internet connectivity remains to be a problem in many areas of the country outside of major urban areas. So even when they have the tools for the job, they still can’t work because the internet connection in their location is too unstable or expensive.
Fortunately, many companies that offer online work also provide their employees with the necessary work equipment. So, if you currently don’t have the means to get your own computer, you can request one from your employer.
Getting stable internet, however, is more complicated. Your best move is to get a backup pocket Wi-Fi so you can still work even when your primary internet source is down.
Set Up a Senior-Friendly Workspace
Due to their age, seniors find working in a traditional workspace very uncomfortable. They can’t sit in one place for too long and have difficulty adjusting their chairs and equipment to an ergonomic height.
To solve this challenge, you will need the support of your loved ones to help you set up an ergonomic workspace for seniors. Choose the appropriate assistive tools that suit your needs, such as a screen magnifier and anti-glare screen protector if you have vision problems.
Likewise, select a desk that matches your sitting height so you won’t have to slouch or strain your body while working. Match this with an ergonomic chair, keyboard, and mousepad – so you’ll be as comfortable as possible.
Regularly Communicate With Your Colleagues and Loved Ones
Adjusting to a remote setup can be challenging if you’re used to an office environment. There are few opportunities to meet your colleagues face-to-face, and some seniors are unfamiliar with communication apps like Skype or Zoom.
Lack of social interaction leads to loneliness and isolation, which is detrimental to your mental health and causes communication issues with the rest of your team.
The best way seniors can overcome these remote work challenges is by proactively interacting with their colleagues whenever possible. Speak your mind during virtual meetings and participate in virtual team-building activities.
If you don’t know how to use your company’s chosen communication apps, check with HR and see if they have guides you can learn from.
Don’t forget that one of the best benefits of working from home is schedule flexibility. Use this to spend more time with your loved ones whenever you feel lonely at work. Not only will this cheer you up, but it also helps you better manage your work-life balance.
Don’t Let Negative Stereotypes Keep You Down
Similar to PWD workers, there are a lot of negative stereotypes associated with senior citizens in the workplace. Companies don’t want to hire them because they think they’re slow, frail, technologically behind, and slow to adapt to new ideas.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t much you can do to change people’s minds except prove them wrong. Let your deeds and accomplishments speak for themselves and show you’ve still got it.
With your wealth of knowledge and experience, you may even teach them a thing or two.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Although remote work has been a boon for many seniors looking for work, it poses unique challenges to them as well.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways seniors can overcome these remote work challenges and thrive in this setup.
However, they will need the support of their loved ones and employers to ensure they can work effectively and safely at home.
Still looking for online job openings that seniors can apply to? Don’t worry, Remote Staff has you covered. Our jobs list has a wide range of available positions for you to choose from, ranging from virtual assistant jobs to graphic design.
What if you don’t see a job you like? Don’t worry. We regularly update our list with new openings every day, so you can keep checking until you find something suitable.
Good luck!
