If things aren't bad enough, then they get worse. I am so sorry you have found yourself in this situtation. Jobs are hard to come by and when you are 62 even more so. Have you checked into getting your husbands social security? O am sure you have. Many employers now are hiring through agencies so they won't get stuck with employees that either don't work out or will have the ease of adjusting their workforce as needed. I would register at all agencies that are appropriate. Unemployment is available. It sucks doesn't it. Lose your husband now your job. I know these aren't words with any kind of insight, I just wanted you to know that there is someone out here that understands.

HI Vader, I have lost so much in the last year and a half - and thought it was only me... I do have a college degree, a few actually - and after my beloved 21 year old's murder, I let everything go - friends, family, career- even my job. I've lost everything I had, including my home, nearly my sanity. I'm on the job-market now - and thought my responses have been minimal ---- I am applying all those years of study to eventually find something. The one thing i can GUARANTEE head-hunters/ recruiters are looking for is CONFIDENCE. And perhaps the one thing we lack most of. What ever factory work you've done is VALUABLE SKILLS. What ever machines you've used - are UNIQUE to YOUR experience. Seek out employers with similar trades. Don't look at your age as a threat- I see it as crucial EXPERIENCE that someone younger doesn't have. In this economy an employer is seeking EXPERIENCE and SKILLS regardless of the field. If you worked in retail - try every single retail store in the city (Target, Walmart, RiteAid, etc.), if you worked in "packing" - seek out SHIPPING AND RECEIVING posts- particularly with large manufacturers, GOOGLE the life out of your city --- type in the field you worked in - and check out the companies. CALL - see if they are hiring, in case they are not present at the career fair. Seek out a Workforce Development agency - or a "one-stop career cente", the US Dept of Labor has funded BILLIONS into workforce centers www.jobing.com I just realized how much easier it is to help someone else find a job - than it is to take my own advice. I know it's my grief holding me back. But NECESSITY will take over soon. CONFIDENCE is crucial. And if you don't have it- portray it--- acting is a skill in job hunting. :)

you need to move countrys. In australia if you dont want to work you dont have to work. the government will look after you. we might pay high taxes but we get free education and hospitalization and we get grants to buy a house or register a car if we are on a low income. I have only ever had a part time job as a single mom of 4 and all my kids own there own house and i have 3 cars. plus a holiday van i take on road trips your government sux.....

your government gives nothing and your government takes more

First I think we should all move to Australia!!
Vader, I totally understand . I am 54 and was laid off after 25 years. I do not know what companies want.

There is a site call retired brains: retiredstars.com.
Also a group in Wisconsin called Interfaith older adult programs ( is not religiouse based ) is through the senior center. Does Washington have local senior centers. Is to help people 50 and older out of work.
We also have job centers that are state runned.They sometimes have help for 50 and over. Have you done any searches on the internet??
I am trying to work all this out myself, too..

Hugs
Deb