ILS Offers Affordable Home Maintenance
& Repair for Seniors in Area

—submitted

If you’re over the age of 55 and need some help maintaining your home, there’s exciting news from Independent Living Services Simcoe County (ILS). The agency is a CARF accredited, not-for-profit organization providing individualized support and services to adults with physical disabilities and seniors living at home and in their community.

ILS recently received funding from the County of Simcoe to provide no fee and subsidized home maintenance and repairs to eligible seniors and people with disabilities in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Elmvale, Christian Island, Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny, Tay, Severn, and Ramara Townships.

A set menu of tasks is available, and services range from changing a light bulb, installing a grab bar, changing batteries in a smoke alarm or CO2 detector, to cleaning outside windows and eavestroughs, etc. Seasonal landscape work such as raking, lawn mowing, and snow removal will be offered on a limited, subsidized basis.

The service is available to homeowners and tenants (where tasks aren’t provided by their rental agreement) and visits are pre-scheduled following the completion of a Service Agreement. “Providing affordable home maintenance and repairs supports the independence of seniors and people with disabilities in their homes and community,” says Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director of ILS. “We can be that extra set of hands to safely assist with tasks and chores which often become more difficult as we age.”

Clients will be responsible for providing the materials for the task and ILS will supply the tools and labour. For example, if a senior needs a grab bar installed, the senior will provide the grab bar and ILS will provide the Maintenance Technician and tools to do the job. ILS does not shop for the materials required by the client.

“To have help with these tasks means I can continue living in my home,” said Bonnie, a resident in Midland. “Love, love, love this service!” The new service is much appreciated because “Seniors need help to live alone and maintain their homes,” said another resident of North Simcoe.

People interested in obtaining these ILS services for themselves or a loved one can call ILS directly at 705- 737-3263 to apply. Applications are first come, first served and some conditions apply. Clients are required to complete a Service Agreement and provide a copy of their most recent Tax Assessment to determine eligibility for subsidized services.

ILS is currently serving North Simcoe and Area and hopes to expand the service area in future. Learn more at www.ilssimcoe.ca.