Hiring others to run errands and help with transportation might have been seen as a luxury for busy business professionals in the past, but these days, it’s a quality of life issue and necessity for those aging at home. During the pandemic, more people have realized the benefits of outsourcing their daily errands and hiring others to drive as a way to not only stay safe but to save money, too.
If you’ve struggled with the transition from doing everything for yourself to commissioning others to do for you, read on to learn how more seniors have made the switch and how to maximize the benefits of these tasks.
The power of elders
The aging population is growing in the United States. Per the Administration on Aging, as of 2016, those over 65 numbered more than 49 million with a projection to grow to 98 million by 2060. And of those in this age group, most are able to remain in the comfort of their homes today given the in-home care and companionship available.
With more elders aging in place, companies have stepped up to address the preferences and needs of this growing community. That is great news for our community, and means more options for services than ever before.
At Home Health Companions, we are experts in catering to the specific needs of elders and those with medical concerns. Because of our focus, our errand, shopping and transportation services are suited to work within our client’s individual expectations and budget.
Arranging for help with daily tasks and transport can be overwhelming. In this guide, we offer a quick overview of the kinds of errands most people need help to accomplish along with how to gain the most value out of these services.
Know what you need to accomplish
The reality that so many more seniors are staying at home as they age is good both economically and emotionally. But it means attention needs to be paid to the issues of mobility outside the home, especially as circumstances change.
The first step is to consider all the errands that most individuals require in order to care for themselves, and then to determine the level of risk and hassle with each. Right now, for instance, staying out of public areas for those over 65 and those with pre-existing conditions is a national health safety concern. So, hiring out for errands in public places is of particular importance.
That said, as the pandemic has revealed, many errands require energy and resources that on the balance might be better done by someone else as a rule for the sake of both safety and efficiency. That errand list can include projects around the house and even those quick dashes to stores nearby.
You might be surprised by the general tasks, and how much time and money it takes to accomplish these each week. A typical personal home list might list the following for his or her regular “to-dos:”
- Pick up medications: average hours—1
- Grocery shopping: average hours—1.5
- General shopping, items for house, gifts, etc.: average hours—1.5
- Paying bills: average hours—1
- Mail handling: average hours—1
- General deliveries: average hours—0.5
- Arranging appointments: average hours—0.5
- Taking out the trash
- Pet care average hours—1
- Laundry services
When you factor in your time, plus waiting in lines and contending with crowds, the risk of injury while dealing with your errands means that hiring someone to do many of these chores regularly—and in a planned manner—can be both reassuring and an important consideration for your quality of life.
As you tend to your list, consider the amount of time and automobile resources involved, too. A professional errand service will efficiently address as much as they can in the span of an hourly rate to help you get the most done possible.
Affordable and safe transportation
Car ownership is not seen as the rite of passage it once was. More people have opted for the use of public transit or taken advantage of the myriad of shared transportation options available today.
For those who do own a car, you know how expensive the annual bill is to maintain it. Per Investopedia, which cites Consumer Expenditures in the U.S. Department of Labor’s U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average vehicle costs $9,576 per year to own and operate. Even if a car is paid in full, the repairs, insurance, and regular maintenance add up to just the same.
Home Health Companions offers packages that make getting around an easy, hassle-free, and affordable alternative. Even if you’ve reduced your list of errands, you still need to go to doctor appointments and other activities, so access to a trustworthy transportation service is essential.
The advantages of a trusted service
Working with a trusted professional service will lighten your burden in hiring the right you need, also. Home Health Companions takes care of all the pieces of the puzzle that make finding the right person easy. We take care of all the employee management, including security screening and taxes. All you have to do is arrange your errand needs with us, and we take care of the rest.
Home Health Companions is a professional and accredited organization with expert staff, prepared to accommodate you for all your transportation and errand needs.
A comfortable goal
Hiring for help with errands and transportation might seem like a luxury at first, but once you realize how it help can improve your days and allow you to stay in your home, it’s a worthwhile investment. The goal for everyone is to stay as healthy and independent as possible—and for as long as possible. Reducing the risks of public settings with lots of people and congested parking lots and streets can help you achieve that.
As you age and circumstances change, it doesn’t mean you’re cut off from life. By creating a plan and accessing help for errands and transportation, you can reduce the risk and spend more time doing the things you love to do.
Bibliography
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/cost-car-ownership.asp