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Quick senior link–
Is there help available for my fall chores?
Q: With winter weather approaching, my
house and yard need some TLC. Where can I get someone to help me with these
chores?
A: Fall is a perfect time to ready your
household for the upcoming winter months, but where do you start?
Some of the chores are really safety issues,
while some are more cosmetic in nature. It’s important to sort through your
"to do" list and prioritize accordingly.
At the top of a fall spruce-up list should be
checking the furnace, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alert systems. Your
local utility company typically has programs available at nominal fees to check
your furnace. It’s best to call early in the season to get on the list for the
fall inspections. It is recommended that smoke and carbon monoxide detection
systems, if operated on batteries, be checked twice a year. While you are
turning your clocks back, remember to change the batteries.
Focusing on the outside of your house, clearing
rain gutters and downspouts of debris that has accumulated over the summer and
fall will help prevent damage to your roof. A bit of effort spent here could
save you thousands of dollars in roof repair. There are also possible safety
concerns that come with a leaky roof and gutters. Many of these tasks require
climbing and reaching, which may be difficult or unsafe for older adults. There
are chore services located throughout the state to assist in some of these
areas. Many county public health offices have chore services available.
Volunteer networks, such as Faith in Action, have chore service programs as
well. Rebuilding Together is a nationwide volunteer effort that offers home
repair services. It can be reached at 1-800-4-REHAB-9 or by visiting its website
at www.RebuildingTogether.org.
This organization currently has three contacts in the Twin Cities area.
So what about those falling leaves? They can be
good for your lawn or compost pile!
For assistance with locating chore services
near you call the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433.
Quick Senior Link items are taken from frequent
calls to the Senior LinkAge Line®, a free service that connects seniors to
programs or services that they need. Call 1-800-333-2433 or visit www.mnaging.org.
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