For many caregivers, juggling work and caregiving is extremely stressful.  From attending regular doctor’s appointments to arranging interim care, caregivers frequently struggle to maintain a traditional work schedule.  Thankfully, there are growing opportunities for professionals who need flexible schedules to work from home.

Here are five examples of jobs you can do from home:

1. Telecommuting:  Between the internet and advanced mobile technology, millions of office workers now have the ability to telecommute.  For family caregivers, telecommuting can offer significant advantages, including the flexibility to schedule your time around your loved one’s needs without having to take sick days or vacation time in order to ferry a loved one to and from doctor’s appointments.  In addition, the time and money that would otherwise be spent getting dressed up and commuting is more quality time that can be spent with a loved one.  The work still needs to get done, however, and a caregiver must be able to set aside time that is free from distraction, which can be a challenge.
2. Owning an online store:  Are you an artist or designer who has always wanted to open up your own store?  If you’ve toyed with the idea, but have never had the time or money to set up a business, sites such as Etsy.com and Ebay.com offer the opportunity to sell your creations online. Etsy specializes in virtual store owners who sell unique handmade crafts and vintage items.  Ebay is a larger, more varied marketplace. Sites like these normally charge users a small fee to set up their online “shop” and post their products, or they might take a percentage of a product’s final selling price.
3. Freelancing:  If you have a skill (writing, editing, photography, etc.) that you can market à la carte, consider a career as a self-employed professional. Being a freelancer means that you have the freedom to pick and choose which jobs and projects (usually short-term) you’re willing or able to take on. Online directories such as Elance.com or Arise.com post freelance jobs.  You can also post your skill (teaching photoshop, for example) on local bulletin boards or in coffee shops or school newsletters.
4. Online or In-Home tutoring:  For students of all ages, there is always the need for tutors.  If you’ve got any kind of teaching experience, or if you are skilled in a subject (math, writing, Spanish, etc.) and enjoy helping people, look into virtual tutoring opportunities.  Websites like Tutor.com can provide information on online tutoring options, and school bulletin boards, newsletters and local papers could all provide opportunities to connect with those seeking home tutor assistance.
5. Translating:  Fluency in a foreign language is a highly valued skill!  Both national and international companies often jump at the chance to have their text transformed from one language to another.  Check out web directories for freelance work, such as Elance.com, for sections that include online translation job postings.  A foreign language skill is a valuable commodity to many companies who wish to offer bilingual services to their customers as well.  Consider applying to work for individual corporations as a remote bilingual customer service representative.

RELATED: Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Symptoms and Solutions

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