Chores help

[Bythecooker]

Mum in early 90s. Living independently still but last 2 weeks has had some increasing health issues. My sibling and I are going when we can and of course happy to do so but I would like to find someone to go in say twice a week routinely to help her if she needs it, bit of shopping if required, water the plants, do the rubbish. Things that some days she can do herself and other days is too tired if a bad night. I was thinking we could pay them regardless and they could just do whatever little chores she needed on the day and would also give us some reassurance. She does not need any personal care and is mentally sound! Does anyone have such a thing, is it a possibility? Any ideas gratefully received.

I booked a cleaner for a relative. She was happy to help out with whatever needed.

Yes, it’s worth finding a cleaner who is happy to do those things. I’m a cleaner and would be happy to complete those tasks.

She’s only going in one direction. Consider a company like Helping Hands rather than “just” a cleaner, and as and when she needs more support they will be able to provide it and you’ll already be a client, so no emergency social services involvement or you trying to bridge gaps. My dad went into hospital unexpectedly a couple of years ago, meaning my mum was on her own (Alzheimer’s) until I got there from 100 miles away, I then spent a week desperately shuttling between her and the hospital…when he came out Dad changed from having a cleaner to employing a care company so that this situation would never happen again. Works well.

I would also be looking for a company that does the chores you are looking for but could also move on to providing personal care as Mum’s health deteriorates. This means that only one set of relationships needs to be built up.

You need to be asking ChatGPT or Google for “home help providers near me” “home care providers near me”. Get a spreadsheet with your requirements. Mine would have been

small team
seven day a week service
willing to do personal care and cleaning tasks
able to do shopping
local company

You might start with a long list but can soon work it to just a few. You then interview them at home.

good luck

We used Home Instead for companion care for both FIL and MIL and found them very good. They are not the cheapest but that seems to mean they have good quality staff who build relationships with their clients. And as others have said, that put us in a position to increase support when they needed it.