Ensuring the continuity of caretaker services that support elderly people living in small houses to continue living at home

We propose that the municipality allocate funds to ensure the continuity of village and private home care services that support retired residents of small houses in living at home.

Homeowner and village associations receive state support of approximately €1,800 per month for the employment of the long-term unemployed, which covers the costs of employment for the first 12 months. However, there are times when the employment services or the local council’s employment unit can’t find anyone interested in continuing to provide services to elderly people living in small houses. In such cases, there may even be gaps of up to six months in the caretaker services. In order to avoid interruptions in the necessary services, we propose that a support appropriation be set aside so that the employment relationships of caretakers who are well suited to their tasks can be continued after the 12-month employment period. (The subsidy would cover, for example, €1,000 per month of the employment costs for 6–12 months, with the remaining costs covered by a customer fee of €12 per hour for a minimum of 2 hours per order).

The duties of a private caretaker include yard work (e.g. mowing lawns and trimming hedges, snow removal and sanding), chopping firewood, minor property repairs and, if necessary, assisting with cleaning and shopping. The services are mainly used by retired people over the age of 70 who live in detached houses.

The municipality’s support is particularly needed now that the property tax increase is reducing the ability of elderly people living in small houses to remain in their homes.

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