Helping seniors stay in their homes longer

Keeping seniors in their homes, comfortable and independent, are the goals of organizations such as the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton and South East Edmonton Seniors Association.

Both associations have lists of approved contractors and individuals who help make that possible.

“A lot of seniors are widows and they’re wary about letting just anybody into their home,” said Shelley Sabo, Home Service Co-ordinator with SEESA.

That is why being able to offer contractors or individuals who have been checked out and pass security screening is important.

“We act as a referral between seniors and the services they require,” said Barb Carroll, Home Services Co-ordinator with SAGE. Referrals can also be made to other local organizations that offer the services that neither SAGE nor SEESA have connections to.

SAGE and SEESA provide seniors with options to meet their needs. The final decision is up to the senior who is contracting the service. The senior decides who is the best fit based on such factors as time, availability and affordability.

What seniors need to keep them in their homes – whether those are houses, condominiums or apartments – varies according to the individual, and SEESA and SAGE work hard to fill those needs, which have been steadily increasing over the years as the senior population increases. Along with outdoor work, which includes the ever-popular snow shovelling and lawn mowing, there is also replacing shingles or cleaning gutters. There is no lack of help needed in the home either, with seniors having chores to fill such as laundry, meal preparation, house maintenance, or house cleaning. Companionship and dog-walking are also common needs.

While SAGE handles seniors’ needs throughout Edmonton, SEESA concentrates its efforts in the southeast part of the city, covering the Millwoods and Bonnie Doon areas.

SEESA began operating in January as a means to provide affordable and dependable snow removal services for seniors living in houses. But when winter came to an end, seniors’ needs shifted to yardwork and outdoor house maintenance and Sabo found herself working to fill that niche, too.

“It’s about doing what we can to keep seniors in their homes,” she said, noting that she has one couple who has lived in the same house since 1956.

Affordability of services can be an issue, but depending on household income, there is funding available from the province. When it comes time for snow removal, contractors are not the only choices. Sage’s Snow Buster program provides community service groups such as Cubs and Scouts and local Community Leagues which offer to do the shovelling at a lower rate.

And more and more, says Carroll, adult children are setting up the services and covering the costs for their parents.

“Home services give the seniors independence and the ability to stay in their homes. That’s what it’s all about,” she said.