“We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Those words, shared by another spirited octogenarian, could easily describe Charles Smith’s journey. At 87, Smith works full time at the Lancaster County Office of Aging – a role he refers to as the best job he’s ever had not for the paycheck, but for the purpose it brings.
For Smith, the path to this position was decidedly not linear. After decades of successful entrepreneurship in the chemical water treatment industry, his early 80s brought with them a brick wall of age discrimination. Hundreds of job applications went unanswered for the man who had run four successful businesses. Employers, he found, frequently eliminated older candidates before they even had a chance to meet them-a reality reflected in an AARP survey that found two-thirds of workers over 50 have experienced age bias. The cycle of rejection was relentless for Smith, though he refused to be defined by it.
And then came another one: a severe spinal cord injury in a fall in his garden left him temporarily paralyzed. Recovery was grueling: months in a rehab hospital, and a slow return to mobility. Research shows that returning to work after spinal cord injury significantly improves mental health and life satisfaction; for Smith, the gain in function meant a reclaiming of independence. He and his wife had made some savvy moves with their finances, selling their home to buy another mortgage-free, and relied on Social Security income to get them through.
When Smith saw a late 2022 newspaper ad for an opening at the Office of Aging, he saw more than just a job posting: a chance to work without the shadow of age discrimination hanging over him. Fast forward to February 2023, and he was on board, helping to coordinate everything from Meals on Wheels to Home Assistance, Physical Therapy, and Adult Daycare. Many of the people whom he serves are elderly or disabled and live with very few resources. “Whenever I think I’ve got problems, I just take a look at some of the people whom we provide services to, and then I realize my problems fade into the background,” he says.
Purposeful work in later life is more than a way to pass the time; it’s a proven buffer against isolation and decline. Studies consistently link meaningful employment with better health outcomes for seniors, and Smith’s story illustrates why. His daily schedule balances service with personal recovery: five days a week, seven and a half hours a day. He has time for photography, local outings, and friendships—maintaining a rhythm that nurtures physical healing and emotional well-being.
Finding work in your 80s takes grit and game. Experts recommend reworking résumés to emphasize established abilities, scrubbing age-identifying information, and seeking out employers committed to multigenerational workforces. Programs like the AARP Employer Pledge place older workers with employers who hire based on experience; occupational rehabilitation services also place injured individuals in appropriate positions and request reasonable accommodations in the workplace. People with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations-that means flexible hours, special ergonomics, or physical access-under law, namely, the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Smith’s financial strategy speaks to a reality facing many older workers: Social Security rarely covers living expenses. Blending his $30,000 salary with nearly $40,000 in Social Security benefits, he and his wife live frugally but comfortably, saving for what he calls their “actual old age.” That mix of earned income and benefits is a common one among seniors who work past retirement age as rising healthcare costs and lengthening lifespans stretch savings thin. His odyssey reflects a broader shift: Almost half a million Americans over 80 are still on the job, the fastest growth among those 75-plus. Some work out of necessity, others for connection and purpose, but all face the challenge of balancing health and finances with societal perceptions. To Smith, the reward is clear: in serving those who need help most, he’s found not just a paycheck but a reason to keep showing up-proving that even after hundreds of rejections, the right job can be worth the wait.
