Wednesday Post

In the present scenario  many senior couples are staying alone, while the kids have moved out of town or country. Now if  the family has settled in the city for long time, it is quite possible that they are living in an independent house. The independent home has certain drawbacks  , that it needs constant maintenance, those used to it, may not want to shift to an apartment. Additionally, if one has lived in the area for long, there is comfort factor of knowing the neighbours, the grocery stores, doctors and the like. So, it is quite natural to prefer to continue to stay in one’s own independent house. The challenge is in maintain it well, managing regular wear and tear and of course, security issues.

MAINTENANCE

Garden/Yard

An independent house needs a good amount of support every year. For example, if you have a garden space outside, that needs to be neatly kept. If you have plants, and pots, then they would need trimming, and repotting periodically, apart from daily watering. If you are comfortable and able to do it on your own, well and good; else, you may have to engage the services of a gardener for the same. One can usually hire a gardener from local contacts or nowadays even few online gardening, and nursery sites offer such services.

Winter/Monsoon

 Another maintenance challenge is the yearly house maintenance before winter or monsoon approaches. For example, before the monsoon arrives, check your walls for any leakage and also terrace for  water logging and seepage issues. Water proofing can be done to avoid such problems and leaks, and cracks in the walls can be plastered. Even any plumbing or electrical issues can be checked once in a year, with the help of  known plumbers or electricians or using such online/app services like Urbanclap. Cleaning the sump or water tanks, checking the water pumps, etc are a few such things that need to be taken into account.

Before winter, one can ensure that any openings and cracks are nicely packed to avoid the cold. If you are living in places with snow fall, then yearly necessary precautions need to be taken. Even for this, it is better to take the help of known contacts locally and maintain the same  person/agency throughout.

Daily Maintenance

An independent house needs weekly, if not, daily maintenance as well, with proper sweeping, dusting and mopping. Once again, you may employ a maid through local contacts or agencies. The house needs a good cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom areas, which can not be avoided. Also, the beds and blankets need to be aired. Windows and doors need special care and any carpets and sofas, etc need thorough vacuuming once in a while. If you do not have a regular maid, you can again pick up such services from the service providers. They even help with any appliance repair, or event organizing as well.

Safety and Security    

It is better to have an alarm system installed for safety purposes in an independent house. Any reputed provider can help you with that. Many such system also include CCTV surveillance, and you can check out the options and choose one. Also, if you have a periphery, it is best to cover at least the approaches using grills so that unwanted outsiders can not get access unless you allow them in. Make sure that the door is protected in such a way that you will open it if you know the person or are convinced about the visitor and his purpose.

This way seniors can enjoy the comfort of your own home with safety and utility levels that are necessary. The seniors who are staying in apartment building or big society, generally do not face most of the problems, as upkeep of external premises and security is well taken care. One has to take care of the inside of the house, for which maid or any other services c be availed. Here seniors also get the advantage of secured campus and plus social contacts can be developed with other members/tenants to keep away the loneliness. There are many seniors who leave their own stand alone house and shifts to apartment in housing societies to have ease of living.

Hope you like this information.

Waiting, for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

20^th October 2021