Work and Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, January 06, 2005
What if arthritis forces change?Continuing to work There are times when, in spite of all your doctor's efforts and in
spite of all your own efforts, arthritis makes it impossible for you to
continue in your present job.
This does not mean you will have to stop working altogether. With the help of the ADA and vocational rehabilitation services,
you may be able to continue working for many years. However, you may
have to change jobs, work fewer hours, or consider self-employment.
If your job involves physical labor, it may be helpful to have your
doctor refer you to an occupational or physical therapist or a state
vocational rehabilitation agency for a physical work performance
evaluation or functional capacity evaluation. Such a test will
determine exactly how much you can lift, carry, push, pull, and perform
fine motor skills.
There are three ways to continue working if arthritis prevents you
from doing your present job. They are: reasonable accommodations,
vocational rehabilitation, or working from home. Reasonable accommodations The ADA says your employer must make reasonable job accommodations to assist you. These might include:
- restructuring (changing the duties of) your job to cut out tasks you have difficulty doing
- allowing you to work on a flexible schedule or part-time
- placing you in a different job.
Vocational rehabilitation Vocational rehabilitation
(VR) is another road to employment if the ADA can't help you. The goal
of VR is to help people with disabilities develop job skills and find
and keep employment. It has been found to have a 50-percent success
rate in helping people with arthritis find employment. Vocational
rehabilitation services vary from state to state, but usually include:
- counseling and guidance about possible careers
- help in getting transportation and assistive devices such as wheelchairs
- tools, equipment, supplies, and licenses needed to help you work
- job training and job placement services
- personal assistance services
Working from home
You may work from home by starting your own business or by working at
home for an employer. If you are independent, self-disciplined, and
like to plan your own hours, then a home business may be right for you.
Before you begin, however, consider the following questions:
- Do you have the self-discipline you need to focus on work?
- Will you miss socializing with others?
- Will you miss getting out?
- Will you be able to successfully develop and run a business?
If you feel confident that you can deal with these issues,
contact the Small Business Administration Office (SBA) in your area.
The SBA's Handicapped Assistance Loan (HAL-2) program provides direct
loans and loan guarantees to qualified individuals with disabilities to
set up their own businesses. The agency also provides individual
guidance and a variety of classes for people starting out in their own
business. Many college and community adult education programs offer
similar classes.
Some companies will allow you to work for them out of your
home. They often provide you with the equipment you will need. Jobs
that can be done largely on computers or by telephone are best suited
for this arrangement. To find such companies, check with your local
chamber of commerce, businesses in your area, classified ads,
vocational rehabilitation agencies, and friends.
Work disability If you become disabled because of arthritis and are unable to return
to work, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration considers you disabled if you are
unable to do any kind of work for which you are suited, if your
inability to work is expected to last at least one year or to result in
death.
There are two kinds of benefits: Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both offer
specific incentives to encourage people receiving these benefits to
return to work.
If you have bought private disability insurance, your benefits will be governed by the terms of the policy.
The Social Security Administration offers work incentives to enable people receiving disability benefits to continue to work.
How useful was this page or article?
|
|