I have always considered that I could manage most minor and some major tasks around the house.
Back in the day, I fixed fuses, tried my hand at painting and wallpapering, demolished an old garden shed and replaced it with one that arrived in a flatpack, pruned fruit trees and other flowering plants, built and tended a raised vegetable garden, cleaned leaves out of roof gutters, constructed a child’s ride-on scooter, and even painted a two-storey house in the age when brackets and planks were acceptable. In other words, I would have a go at most house and garden maintenance tasks.
But now certain physical activities are not so easy, and the boss (my wife) has banned me from going more than three rungs up a step ladder. Recently I have been involved in clearing out a relative’s townhouse to make it ready for sale, which is no easy task because of all the decision-making, plus lifting and carrying. So, I have become extremely interested in home handymen and other services that can lighten the load.
Fortunately, during the Making Connections gathering on 7 October last year at the St James Theatre, I connected with two organisations that provide the services I have been looking for.
The first one was Taskmasters Wellington. It is company aiding clients in decluttering, downsizing, and moving as they move through life, and especially to seniors transitioning to retirement in the Wellington region and beyond.
Established in 2014, the company provides hands-on support for life changes. They help you make decisions and assist you with the practical aspects of decluttering to downsize and move. For more information, visit www.taskmasters.co.nz or call 027 562 7006.
From personal experience, Taskmasters Wellington provided a very welcome service in decluttering and clearing/cleaning a deceased relative’s apartment. It was a fast efficient service, but very flexible in adapting to the requirement to leave the apartment partially furnished until it was sold. There are many other similar businesses in the Wellington Region as well.
Another service that caught my eye at Making Connections was Seniors at Home. This is another organisation providing a comprehensive home maintenance service. It starts with a basic service with a dedicated maintenance expert available seven days a week plus monthly check-ins and access to good quality, fully vetted tradespeople when you need them.
For full details of the services offered and prices see: seniorsathome.nz or call 0508 736 467.
There are other organisations offering similar services in the Wellington region, so it might pay to shop around if you feel that the above organisations do not quite meet your needs, or if you have different needs. Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) or Age Concern may be able to help you find these services.
~ Mick Calder, Office Support Volunteer