Extra Hands
One of the things I enjoy in my spare time is working in my yard. When it comes to instant gratification nothing can beat pulling weeds or planting a few flowers. The improvement is immediate.
Most simple clean-up or fix-up projects are that way – instant improvement. Even things like cleaning out a closet or hanging up pictures make a home more enjoyable and attractive.
However, if you are 80 years old, standing on a ladder to move boxes off closet shelves is probably not a good idea. And lifting a large picture to hang on a wall isn’t smart either.
There are a number of simple household chores that are difficult for older adults to accomplish. They are not usually must-do things that help them remain in their homes, but they are ordinary things that make a difference in their happiness and satisfaction at home.
At Clermont Senior Services we are fortunate to have some volunteers that help out with these things. We call them Extra Hands Volunteers. Sometimes groups work together to take on larger tasks such as a large yard that needs to be cleaned up, painting a house or garage, etc. We also have a few individuals that work alone or with a partner to do smaller projects such as washing windows, hanging pictures, cleaning out a flower bed, etc.
You may not think those things sound very important, but they are to the person that cannot do them. A few years ago, as several co-workers volunteered for a project and went to a lady’s home to wash her windows. She was so excited; she greeted them enthusiastically and had donuts waiting for them. When they were finished the lady thanked them and literally cried from gratitude. She was a person who liked to keep her home clean, but she was confined to a wheelchair. She said she had not had her windows washed for nine years.
Unfortunately, we have more jobs than volunteers. If you are a person that enjoys hands-on projects, this may be an opportunity for you. You can work as often or as seldom as you want. Most home chores require one visit to a home, and the next time you would help someone else.
We currently have a number of customers with needs. In Batavia, a man needs help with yard work and his fence line trimmed. At Wardscorner, a lady needs help getting her trash to the curb every week. In Milford, a lady needs help hanging a few heavy pictures; another lady needs ongoing lawn mowing; and a third lady needs someone to wash windows, take down her drapes to hang outside for airing out and then hang them up again.
In New Richmond, one lady needs help with yard clean-up; and another lady needs someone to wash windows.
In Amelia there is a lady that needs help putting together a futon. A Bethel lady needs help weeding a flower bed.
In this program, the senior pays for all supplies and volunteers are reimbursed mileage.
If you would like to make a difference is someone’s life by helping out with a chore, please call Clermont Senior Services at 724-1255. All volunteers are screened and go through an orientation process.