Home and garden maintenance

Ageing and medical conditions can limit your mobility and increase your fall risk, meaning it’s often safer, quicker and easier to leave it to the experts.

Accepting help with a range of jobs around the house may allow you to continue living in the comfort of your own home, while maintaining this ‘pride of place’.

Whether you need your gutters cleared, your lawn mowed or minor home repairs, there are services that can help keep your home looking its best.

Who can help?

Professional service providers can assist with these essential tasks or there may be volunteers within your community who can perform these jobs. Your council may be able to assist by suggesting businesses or volunteers in your area who can offer you these services.

If you’ve been assessed or approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP) you can request home and/or garden maintenance as part of your support plan. Otherwise, home and garden maintenance services can visit your house as required to keep your garden tidy.

Home maintenance services include:

◆ Gutter cleaning

◆ Home modification installations, including handrails in the bathroom and toilet

◆ Permanent or temporary ramps outside or inside the home

◆ Step modifications

◆ Handyman work including fixing or replacing tap washers, repairing doors and cupboards, minor general, plumbing and electrical repairs such as changing light bulbs

◆ Installation and maintenance of smoke alarms

◆ Pest control

◆ Fixing fences and gates

Gardening services include:

◆ Lawn mowing and hedging

◆ Weeding and pruning

◆ Watering and fertilising

◆ Pressure washing outdoor areas

◆ Window washing

Sometimes a little assistance is all you need, allowing you to stay independent and enjoy other activities.

Peace of mind

A good service provider will help you keep your house and garden in tip-top shape so you can stay living in your home for longer.

Generally, people like to maintain their own homes to a certain degree but may not be able to keep up with all the gardening or household cleaning like they previously could.

If you are a little unsure about having someone you don’t know assist around the home, you can enquire with a provider about their insurance cover and whether they are police-checked.

You can even ask to meet with staff members beforehand to get to know them. This may not be mandatory protocol for every business, but it can give you peace of mind that you and your home will be safe and in good hands.

The other great thing about handing over the house and garden chores is that you now have more time to focus on things you enjoy spending time on, like catching up with friends and family, having ‘me time’, or getting back into your hobbies. Usually, leisure activities and hobbies are the first to be sacrificed because you have to do household tasks.

You can find providers delivering home and garden maintenance services in your State or Territory in the Resources section starting on page 121 or search AgedCareGuide.com.au/home-care .