Volunteers help care for elderly's home needs.
While some people approach a leak or problem in the house with do-it-yourself attitude, this is often not an option for the elderly. Due to medical advances, the elderly population has grown by leaps and bounds. Combined with the fact that most elderly are retired and cannot afford extra expenses, this demographic can often be stuck with fix-it problems that need attention. Luckily, there are a number of programs to fill this void. Does this Spark an idea?
Types of Programs
There are many programs to fix homes for the elderly and disabled across America. These programs are generally government-sponsored or serviced by volunteer crew members who devote certain amounts of time a week to helping out those in need. The people who man the volunteer crews are often retirees themselves, so they have time to help out in the middle of a weekday or whenever they get a call. Some of these programs are completely free, while others will charge minimally to cover the cost of materials and supplies.
Who Helps Out
The volunteers who help out are not always retired handymen or former builders. Often, they are all different types of people who simply feel comfortable working with tools and figuring things out. Most of the volunteers are men, but the elderly who call are either men or women.
What They Do
In general, these groups and programs will perform minor repairs and fixes. For a large or major problem, a professional fix-it man will need to be called in. Sometimes, the job is as simple as changing a light bulb, but the senior citizen in need is not able to climb up a ladder to do it himself.
Why They Do It
Volunteer George Strauss who works with Chore Service in Bergen County, New Jersey, says the elderly population is so thankful for all the services they provide. "Even if you're just replacing light bulbs, people gush over us. What's better than that?" he told This Old House magazine.
Other volunteers report a sense of pride in being able to accomplish something productive and meaningful, while some enjoy the feeling of filling their time with good deeds. There is also the challenge of learning new skills at an age when many are taking it easy.
The Programs
There are more than 20 programs specifically made for the elderly and disabled listed on ThisOldHouse.com. They categorized the programs according to state and including their phone numbers and websites, if any, so it is easy to contact them. If you don't see your state listed, you can start your own group by finding a few able volunteers with basic fixing skills and a lot of free time. Appeal to your local or community government to see if they are willing to sponsor the materials, such as tools, a truck, pipes and other fixing essentials. Advertise your services by placing notices in places that the weaker elements of the elderly population frequent, such as doctor's offices and pharmacies. Start with small projects and work your way up as you gain more volunteers and expertise.
Tags: elderly population, elderly disabled, Programs There
