Jewish Family Services’ (JFS) Help@Home program helps community residents over the age of 60 maintain their independence by providing handyman services.
Eighty-eight percent of individuals aged 50-80 think it is important to age in place, living life independently in their own homes and on their terms, according to Administration for Community Living’s Profile of Older Americans survey results.
May is also Older Americans Month, celebrating the accomplishments of those over the age of 60 and re-imagining the way communities build services, infrastructure, and support systems for aging.
Help@Home provides independence by providing community Handy Staff to complete household repairs and chores. This gives individuals more time to spend enjoying hobbies, family, friends, as well as preventing injuries for adults who are no longer able to perform such tasks.
As a membership-based home maintenance program, Help@Home is available to adults ages 60 and older or adults with disabilities who live in portions of Jackson County, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas. The full-service area can be found at jfskc.org/help-at-home.
“Our community Handy Staff provide peace of mind and genuine connection for our members,” said Rachel Ohlhausen, director of program operations. “Not only are they available to come and make a repair, but they’re building relationships, making suggestions, and brainstorming with our clients.”
Repair services offered for Help@Home members include weather stripping, installing locks and deadbolts, changing light bulbs and smoke detector batteries, annual gutter cleaning in the spring, garbage disposal installation and minor sink repairs, hanging pictures, and more. In addition, members receive assistance with common technology services such as setting up a new computer or basic email and internet troubleshooting. All Help@Home members enjoy high quality work performed by trained professionals, emergency assistance, and unlimited appointments throughout the year.
Falls are the leading cause of injuries for older Americans, and treating fall-related injuries averages more than $9,500 per person. Prevention is often the key to avoiding these, and with that in mind, JFS’s Help@Home members also receive an annual in-home consultation with an occupational therapist to assess modifications including safety improvements. Grab-bar installation is another common task for the community Handy Staff.
Help@Home membership fees are based on a sliding scale, and based on member’s income, rates may be significantly reduced. Three membership levels provide opportunities for older adults to sign up for the amount of support they need:
- Help@Home: For homeowners, the fee is $90 a month for a 12-month commitment; a discount is applied for members paying annual membership upfront.
- Help@Home Lite: For renters, the monthly fee is $50 for a 12-month commitment.
- Help@Home Now: For adults who need short-term help transitioning back home from a rehabilitation center or hospital stay, the fee is $150/month for three months. This membership includes modifications to homes completed prior to discharge as well as the services of a dedicated professional social worker to help with members transitions to home.
“[JFS staff] have helped by doing jobs around the house that prevent me from falling or becoming injured,” said Carrie Mays, who has been a Help@Home member for almost a decade. “They installed a storm door on my home that has stopped air from blowing into my house during winter. I have been so happy with Help@Home. I helped my neighbor get enrolled in the program.”
Those interested in joining Help@Home or gifting a membership can call (913) 981-8880 or email .
