Community Raises Funds to Help 86-Year-Old Cleaner Retire

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An 86-year-old woman named Elaine Dorland has worked as a cleaner for over seven decades, starting at the age of 12. She currently works as a cleaner at a senior living facility in Wyandotte, Michigan, where she has lived for two decades. Despite her advanced age and health issues, Dorland continues to work to make ends meet after the deaths of her husband and son. A community member named Sue Wery has started an online fundraiser to help Dorland retire.

Why it matters

Dorland's story highlights the challenges faced by many older adults who must continue working well into their retirement years due to financial necessity. Her determination to keep working despite her age and health problems resonates with the community and raises awareness about the need for better retirement security for low-wage workers.

The details

Elaine Dorland starts her day at 4:30 a.m. with a cup of coffee before heading to work as a cleaner at the senior living facility where she lives. She has been cleaning since she was 12 years old, working various jobs that 'never paid nothing.' For the past nine years, she has taken pride in wearing her cleaning service shirt while scrubbing windows, bathrooms, and vacuuming hallways. Dorland continued working after the deaths of her husband Roger, a Marine and plumber, two years ago, and her son nine months later. With rods in her back, a torn rotator cuff, and progressing arthritis, the cleaning work is physically demanding, but Dorland says she has no choice but to keep working as her Social Security benefits are not enough to cover her expenses.

• Dorland has been cleaning since she was 12 years old.
• Dorland has worked at the senior living facility for the past 9 years.
• Dorland's husband Roger passed away 2 years ago.
• Dorland's son passed away 9 months after her husband.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The online fundraiser for Elaine Dorland has already raised over $42,000 as of early Sunday, with the goal of helping her retire after decades of hard work.