Older folks, do you have...........?

Question

Do you, older folks, have a hard time finding younger people able and willing to help you with your yard work and housework? If you have someone reliable and dependable, are you thankful ???

Answer 1

Our grandson's ages are spaced just right.

The oldest took care of our yard until the next one was old enough and now we are down to our fifth grandson and we still have an 8 year old waiting to grow up some.

They come every Thursday or Friday and do a very good job.

We do pay them and have from the beginning, had great expectations of the job they do and they do it with pride.

They also like it because there is always a big bowl of M&M's and cola in the fridge for them.

We are very thankful and they are proud of themselves, because they earn their spending money and also save a little in the bank.

They have been doing our yard for 13 years.

Our daughters do the deep cleaning in our home every three months.

So very thankful for all of them and we never fail to let them know how grateful we are.

Answer 2

The days of the young man mowing your lawn or shoveling your walk are pretty much gone with rules and laws and taxes and people suing at every turn. I do have a young man next door that I could rely on if necessary and am greatful for that. He has done computer work and such for neighbors......he's a whiz and very dedicated. He's taken days to fix stuff that would have cost people 100's if not more and they hand him a 5. Just because they're kids doesn't mean they don't deserve fair pay when they do a great job. My daughter helped a lady near her.....mowed her lawn, trimmed bushes, weeded.......she gave her 2.50. Wasn't enough to cover the gas for the mower.....forget the hours of work. Then asked if she could come and do spring cleaning for her for a dollar. (Carpet cleaning, windows etc.) She did it but didn't accept the money. She's decided to "adopt" her as her grandma and just do it for the sake of helping....had to draw the line though when the lady was telling others about her and they wanted the same for nothing too. I know many young people expect "professional pay" for some jobs that don't deserve it.....there's also those who can't get it through their heads that tossing a kid a nickle isn't beginning to cover the gas used to mow your lawn either.

Answer 3

If I could only find someone to do the housework here, I
would be very happy. I rely on my husband to vacuum and
mop now. And he gets around to it in his time, not mine. So
alot of days go by before he can muster up the thought to
run the vacuum. I was always known for my fastidiousness.
And now for the most part, I have to ignore the corner dirt and
wait til I am able to get the broom and do it myself. But with
my standing problems, it sure does take me awhile to get to
it also. And it really bothers me that I can't have it spotless
now that I'm getting older. I remember when my inlaws were
alive they had help through the state (Calif) to have a
housekeeper in once a week to vacuum and dust and
clean the surfaces on everything. I think that was part of the
Medi-cal service. How I wish they had that up here where I
am.

Answer 4

It is next to impossible to find young folks where I live to do ANYTHING. There was just an article in the local paper addressing how hard it is for local businesses to hire responsible people. The work ethic here is very bad. I do, thank goodness, have two excellent house sitters (we travel a lot and have 4 dogs and a cat) and we pay them very well for this area....$20 a day to basically feed the pets and pick up the mail. They are both very responsible young college students and they know we appreciate them.

Answer 5

Yes we leave in a very isolate area with no neighbors. The grandsons helped us but they live 2 hours away and are involved in sports. We do the best we can. I would pay someone well if i could find a dependable person. Never thought we would get to this point in our lives.

Answer 6

We could use help with the yard work...mostly mowing and raking. Have tried to hire some of the young kids in the neighborhood, but they're just not interested in earning extra money these days. Sure wish that they were...between the extreme heat during the summer, and not always feeling well....it's become very hard to keep it up on our own.

Answer 7

I think that younger people are not taught to work as hard as I did when I was younger. I was expected to clean the house, work, school and yardwork. When I find someone that wants to go out of their way to help, I am thankful!

Answer 8

How old we talking here? I am 50-something and can do a lot more that most younger ones I see out there. The only time I need help is when it requires two bodies and then it's difficult to find anyone younger who would want to help--they seem so bent on just being into themselves.

Answer 9

They're few and far between 'townies' - live in a farming community where younguns work with the family, and most younguns (even from town) will work for a farmer or a dinky factory in the area -- they're hard-working kids but not available for yard work etc.

Answer 10

No. Personally, I do it myself....

I do know people much older than me (I'm 67) who have help, however. Many times, local Senior Service Centers can make arrangements for someone to come in and help out....do laundry, cleaning, etc.