Help at Home

Hello again from Aging Resources!  We hope that your 2022 is off to a safe, healthy, and happy start.  Today we want to explore some of the programs that we - and other agencies like us – use to help older adults age with independence and stay in the homes, communities, and settings of their choosing.  
 
It’s no surprise that most folks (77% according to AARP) want to stay in their own house for the long term, but that can sometimes be challenging without a helping hand.  That’s where Help at Home programs can really help.  These types of programs include light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and chore and handyman components.  Help at Home volunteers typically assist with activities like dusting, vacuuming, changing out hard to reach lightbulbs, and installing grab bars.  For folks with mobility issues, these types of services make staying in their own home much more of a reality.  A little extra support can make a tremendous difference!  
 
Take it from one of our members Carmela S., who recently wrote us to thank her handyman volunteer, Dave:  "Dave was so wonderful and did a great job adding handrails and grab bars. It makes going up the stairs much safer for me." 

Another type of helpful service is yard work.  Volunteers often find that this is a great opportunity for the whole family to have fun and give back, as one of our members, Janna M.’s, experience demonstrates. She writes, “Recently [volunteer] Jeff and his sweet family helped me immensely in my garden. They were a joy to work with in weeding and applying the landscaping fabric. I will never forget their kindness, and their children who worked alongside their parents. A wonderful gift!” 

Over the next two decades, the number of households headed by people age 65 and older is expected to grow from 34 million to 48 million, according to the Urban Institute.  We’re already experiencing that growth here in Douglas County, Colorado, and it’s set to continue: the older adult population in our home county is expected to increase by 446% by 2050!  Whether you are a small business owner, nonprofit agency, family member, or community volunteer, join us in helping older adults live the full, high- quality lives they deserve.   
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Wherever your hometown is, thanks for reading.  If you’re interested in volunteering or want to learn more, please reach out to us or your local aging resource center or Area Agency on Aging today.  And of course, if you live here in Colorado, give us a call!