Husband tried to shovel and fell. He is 84 , so really need help with the snow removal. We live in Gilbert, Pa. He also needs help getting the coal from outside the coal bin and bring it in the house.
I can attest to the Mormon missionaries being willing and able to do service. They are actually required to do x-many hours of community service in a week.
Look up the local ward/ branches of the church online. 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' and google their info.
My son served a mission for the church in Brazil (but there are missionaries EVERYWHERE) and he still talks about the amazing joy he got from the tons and tons of service they did. I think that was his greatest takeway from his mission.
Nextdoor.com is a great resource and goes out to your closest neighbors and neighborhoods, so less stress about "stranger danger". People see your request right away because they get notified in emails. You can access it from a laptop or tablet as well as a mobile phone.
If you have a smartphone, join NextDoor, an app that connects neighborhoods.
Call your city hall. If your small town is like mine, they keep a pretty good eye on their seniors. Make sure they know you're two of theirs.
Call a local church for help.
Call your library for help. Librarians are problem solvers, and you'd be surprised what they can come up with.
Call the non-emergency number for your local police department.
If your schools are open, call the local high school and ask if they know a student organization that would help.
You need to set up a network of folks who can help you as you and your husband become less able to do all the tasks that keeping a home going requires.
1. Some senior centers maintain lists of handymen and contractors.
2. Search for snow removal (your area), senior discounts. I'm seeing more independent landscape care services offer senior discounts. Landscape companies sometimes offer snow removal during the winter since their landscaping revenue declines then.
3. Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts may have some willing volunteers.
4. Research (a) Veteran owned services in your area and (b) Mormon churches. The latter sometimes do volunteer work for people in need (at least they do in my area).
5. CWillie makes a good point about rescheduling appointments. That's what I did. We got appointments in Oct. and Nov., with the last ones in the early weeks of December, then we hunkered down for the Winter.
6. As to shoveling coal, maintaining heat in the house in the winter is an essential need for anyone. You might ask your county or state offices about this, or contact your local utility companies as some may have agreements with specific contractors to provide services in emergencies. Ours does this, although I don't know of any that address coal burning heating sources.
This might also be a task a younger person might want to gain money - i.e., Boy or Girl Scouts or similar organizations.
7. Another option is the PA state government. Research to determine if there's an elder agency/department.
8. At 84 your husband could have served in one of wars or conflicts. He seems to be of the age that could have served in the Korean War. Have you contacted the VA for services for which he might be entitled? That could even include home assistance, such as the coal shoveling.
Do you have enough space in your house or garage to store coal so that you could stock up before the cold weather arrives?
9. Neighbors. Out of work neighbors with trucks large enough for a plow or to carry snowblowers.
Good luck; I hope you find some good sources, and BTW, if you find some that aren't mentioned here, it would help others if you post back and share your findings.
I see that you live in a small town but pretty much any community that has snow also has people that provide snow removal services, ask your neighbours who they use. You might also ask friends, neighbours or your faith community about teens who might be willing to do some shovelling, bring in the coal etc. When it comes to appointments I'd suggest skipping the car and opting for hiring transportation (taxi, uber or accessible transport), better yet reschedule anything that isn't urgent for a better time of year.
Hi Catmom Google snow removal for your city, state and you will see several.
“Gilbert Pa snow removal”
You can also call your local area agency on aging to see if they can advise you of anyone providing this service.
Your city offices may be able to help as well.
If this is the first time your husband has been unable to take care of the snow on his own, it may be time to consider alternative housing where the responsibilities of maintaining a home are not so physically demanding.
In your area you may be able to call 211 for information on when the roads are to be cleared.
Please do call 911 if your husband is having chest pains or you need to get to the hospital now.
This Forum is for Caregivers to give and get advice from the general public, from other caregivers, not to hire handymen. Why not give a call to your local counsel on aging group who can guide you in hiring local help to clear the snow and get in the coal. There may be neighbors who can guide you as well. Wishing you good luck. Bundle up, mask up and stay safe.
Look up the local ward/ branches of the church online. 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' and google their info.
My son served a mission for the church in Brazil (but there are missionaries EVERYWHERE) and he still talks about the amazing joy he got from the tons and tons of service they did. I think that was his greatest takeway from his mission.
Call your city hall. If your small town is like mine, they keep a pretty good eye on their seniors. Make sure they know you're two of theirs.
Call a local church for help.
Call your library for help. Librarians are problem solvers, and you'd be surprised what they can come up with.
Call the non-emergency number for your local police department.
If your schools are open, call the local high school and ask if they know a student organization that would help.
You need to set up a network of folks who can help you as you and your husband become less able to do all the tasks that keeping a home going requires.
2. Search for snow removal (your area), senior discounts. I'm seeing more independent landscape care services offer senior discounts. Landscape companies sometimes offer snow removal during the winter since their landscaping revenue declines then.
3. Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts may have some willing volunteers.
4. Research (a) Veteran owned services in your area and (b) Mormon churches. The latter sometimes do volunteer work for people in need (at least they do in my area).
5. CWillie makes a good point about rescheduling appointments. That's what I did. We got appointments in Oct. and Nov., with the last ones in the early weeks of December, then we hunkered down for the Winter.
6. As to shoveling coal, maintaining heat in the house in the winter is an essential need for anyone. You might ask your county or state offices about this, or contact your local utility companies as some may have agreements with specific contractors to provide services in emergencies. Ours does this, although I don't know of any that address coal burning heating sources.
This might also be a task a younger person might want to gain money - i.e., Boy or Girl Scouts or similar organizations.
7. Another option is the PA state government. Research to determine if there's an elder agency/department.
8. At 84 your husband could have served in one of wars or conflicts. He seems to be of the age that could have served in the Korean War. Have you contacted the VA for services for which he might be entitled? That could even include home assistance, such as the coal shoveling.
Do you have enough space in your house or garage to store coal so that you could stock up before the cold weather arrives?
9. Neighbors. Out of work neighbors with trucks large enough for a plow or to carry snowblowers.
Good luck; I hope you find some good sources, and BTW, if you find some that aren't mentioned here, it would help others if you post back and share your findings.
Google snow removal for your city, state and you will see several.
“Gilbert Pa snow removal”
You can also call your local area agency on aging to see if they can advise you of anyone providing this service.
Your city offices may be able to help as well.
If this is the first time your husband has been unable to take care of the snow on his own, it may be time to consider alternative housing where the responsibilities of maintaining a home are not so physically demanding.
In your area you may be able to call 211 for information on when the roads are to be cleared.
Please do call 911 if your husband is having chest pains or you need to get to the hospital now.
Let us know how you handled this.