Seniors Hiring an Errand Service....Or Not

Debby

Debby

Well-known Member
Location
East coast of Canada
I have a question for all of you folks. If you didn't have family close by who were thrilled to run errands for you and you weren't able to drive (for whatever reason), would you hire an errand service provider to go to the pharmacy to p/u a prescription, get some groceries for you, drive your pet to the vet, take you shopping or whatever else you might need?

And if you weren't willing, why not and if you did think about it, what would you look for in that person whom you needed to hire as a 'personal assistant'?



The reason I'm asking is that my daughter who has worked in a doctors office in a tiny town for ten plus years is making a move to another province and a big city and to date, everything that could go wrong with her plans, has and mostly because of the stupid car that she has. And while she is going to be sorely missed by her current employer because she's so capable and trustworthy and all, finding a new job when she arrives there as always, is a daunting task.

So a couple days ago, I was cruising the internet and I came across the idea of starting an errand/concierge/personal assistant service catering to seniors and I wanted to pass it on to her because to be honest, it sounded like it might be something for her to consider. So I thought that I'd ask for some insight from you folks here on what your thoughts and feelings might be and particularly if you've reached that dreaded time when we oldsters find ourselves with clipped wings.

So would you hire a 'part time personal assistant', errand woman and what would you look for if you would?
 

So what would you look for? Would you consider hiring someone from Craigslist or would you check out a Seniors Centre bulletin board and what kind of assurances would make you comfortable?

I think for myself, I would be less inclined to Craigslist whereas a Seniors Centre bulletin board would make me feel a little more comfortable. For some reason, the Craigslist idea makes me feel a little uncomfortable. And if I was in that situation, I think that if I was going to have to make use of that kind of service regularly, I'd start with something 'safe' like maybe have them picking up specific items from the supermarket to see how much they paid attention to my requirements.
 
Actually that would be my first choice for running errands. I don't like to bother friends and relatives. Don't think I would use Craigslist, because you would be advertising not only where you live, but that you may not be capable of running very fast, lol. Same thing about bulletin boards.

I assume you are asking how to get started in the business? We have an agency that is supposed to help elderly in the area. I think it's called NEGRC (NE Georgia Regional Commission) on Aging. They might keep lists like that. Maybe there is something like that in your area. Maybe leave your name at a retirement or an assisted living facility? With any of these I can almost guarantee they will require a background check and medical clearance.

Otherwise, maybe place an ad in the classifieds, where it would at least cost something, indicating you are serious? Just throwing out ideas. Sorry.
 
Those were some good ideas for her Nancy. Especially the idea of leaving cards at retirement facilities and such. And I hadn't thought of what you said about Craigslist being used to scope out helpless elderly. I just felt from my personal perspective, that I'd be reluctant to use that as a resource. Most of us don't want strangers coming in to our homes anymore so good point you made. I guess if you got insurance you could probably get bonded too which would be reassuring to new clients. Sounds too like this would be a good reason to begin volunteering a few times a week at some facility that caters to seniors to develop acceptance and recognizability in between looking for a job.

You know, if I had it to do all over again, I'd 'toss' my biological clock out the window because this worrying about grown kids is making me nuts! I totally understand your position now QS and it is awful. We worry about our infants, our toddlers and yep, even the ones who are grown and on their own for years! My sweetie phones me and to hear her crying on the phone again because of that stupid car......I just feel so helpless.
 
I'm not sure about the business angle for running that kind of business. I'm getting to the point where I'll need help. Getting somebody off of Craig's List is a little scary. When the time comes for me to get help, I'm going to call a local veterans association to see if any of their members might want to earn some extra money.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I'm not sure about the business angle for running that kind of business. I'm getting to the point where I'll need help. Getting somebody off of Craig's List is a little scary. When the time comes for me to get help, I'm going to call a local veterans association to see if any of their members might want to earn some extra money.
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That's why Angie's list is so good. All are insured and bonded and come recommended by people that have actually used their services. I think that people have to go in and offer their reviews.. and I know that businesses cannot pay to get listed on Angie's List.
 
I would try a close friend or relative of someone I knew well, Angie's list, local senior center. I would use the help if affordable, for sure!

If this is your daughter looking for work to do errands, I would worry about her vehicle since you mentioned it's "stupid". She will need a reliable car.

Most supermarkets deliver groceries and certain errands can be done online like car registrations, but doctor appointments, church services and many errands really need personal visits.
 
I would rather hire someone to take me to get whatever I need. If someone is able to live alone, it seems as if they should be able to do their own shopping IF they had the transportation. I may be wrong but in my case, I can do my own shopping. It's getting there that is the problem.
 
Debby, I think such a service is an excellent idea.

I have used (and still use) such a service because it’s convenient and affordable. I’ve very organized and I consolidate errands/tasks. Friends and relatives …..well, they “offer” or agree to do things but they have their own lives and a few aren’t all that dependable. (or they’re suddenly unavailable :rolleyes:). Using a service is less hassle.

Our Dept. of Aging also has a great program for seniors where they can get help with errands, transportation, shopping, chores, etc. There is a fee and it varies depending on income and assets.
 
I guess we're spoiled where I live. We have Community Transport - a door to door service for the aged and infirm to be taken shopping, or to Dr's appointments. The cost is $Au8 for the return trip.

Then we have Neighbour Aid, volunteers who will come and sit with the elderly and have a cuppa and a chat, for no fee. All of the volunteers have to undergo a police check before they are approved.

Most of the chemists will pick up and deliver scripts for no fee either. My local vet offers a pick up service too.
 
A few years ago, a couple of really nice ladies in our town started such a business. They both owned VW "Beetles" that got really good fuel mileage. Groceries, prescriptions... they would pick up and deliver whatever the senior clientele needed/wanted. The "business" didn't last. Why??

What are you going to charge? How long will it take to run some of these errands? If the target area is relatively large, geographically, it could take 30 minutes to an hour to drive to one side of town to pick up groceries, time to shop for those groceries, and then drive to the client's home. What is an hour of time worth, including fuel/insurance/maintenance? $50?? Can seniors afford what your costs would be? Or, do you just "donate" your time. One of these ladies made the "mistake" of letting her insurance agent find out she was using the car for business use. Immediately, her insurance rates doubled.

Now, consider that most pharmacies in our area will deliver prescriptions at no cost. At least, three that I can immediately name do. Why pay your daughter when I can get the drugs delivered to my doorstep? Now, we're down to groceries. Our community has a public transportation system where folks can ride fairly inexpensively. You can even call for a dedicated pick up at your home for just a little more. I'm talking $5 or less a trip. The system is tax subsidized by both State and local dollars.

Study it well. There may be a need that folks would pay to fill. Before investing in advertising, vehicle, etc. just make sure of the risks.
 
I personally would NEVER hire from Craigslist, because of the history of predators on there.

Here, there is a service run by the city for disabled/elderly people. For a minimal charge, they will pick you up and take you where you are going, and pick up when you are done. My sister uses this service sometimes when I can't take her where she needs to go or when she just wants to go by herself. She is quite happy with it. And most pharmacies do deliver, especially to disabled or elderly people.

Grumpy old man is right, insurance rates will go through the roof.
 
You've made some good points Grumpy. I'd forgotten that pharmacies deliver. But what would you do if you had a cat that needed to go to the vet and you couldn't go out on your own? Or needed to go to a doctors appointment but had no family to take you and couldn't manage simply by having a taxi service pick you up and drop you off? Say you needed help getting into the building and up to the office? Or someone to go with you to buy a new dress?

I think what the websites I was looking at were talking about was a concierge service but catering to seniors. Of course you wouldn't be expecting clients from the limited income crowd.
 
RadishRose said:
I would try a close friend or relative of someone I knew well, Angie's list, local senior center. I would use the help if affordable, for sure!

If this is your daughter looking for work to do errands, I would worry about her vehicle since you mentioned it's "stupid". She will need a reliable car.

Most supermarkets deliver groceries and certain errands can be done online like car registrations, but doctor appointments, church services and many errands really need personal visits.
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The car just got sold to a mechanic last night so she'd be getting a different car anyway. Fortunately! Repairs to the Jetta used up most of her savings and was a source of constant anxiety to the point where she was afraid to drive it because another warning light was sure to go on.

And QS, good to know that you can't 'buy' your way onto Angie's List. The hard part like any business, is getting those first few clients so that you can build up the reputation. But my husband did it years ago, millions of others manage to get their first clients.....part of the process right. And she's such a nice person and so reliable, I have no doubt that after the first few, it would begin to grow.

I'm not sure if she'd even be interested but I thought I'd get some feedback from the group who might have use for someone like this. So thanks for the input.
 
applecruncher said:
Debby, I think such a service is an excellent idea.

I have used (and still use) such a service because it’s convenient and affordable. I’ve very organized and I consolidate errands/tasks. Friends and relatives …..well, they “offer” or agree to do things but they have their own lives and a few aren’t all that dependable. (or they’re suddenly unavailable :rolleyes:). Using a service is less hassle.

Our Dept. of Aging also has a great program for seniors where they can get help with errands, transportation, shopping, chores, etc. There is a fee and it varies depending on income and assets.
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I'm also reluctant to ask for help and for the same reasons you mentioned although I'm not at the stage yet where I can't get there myself, etc. Heck, I even hate asking my husband to interrupt what he's doing to come and help me 'hold the end of the fence post' or whatever, but another family member, really uncomfortable with that.
 
Luckily, I have teenage grandchildren always ready to make extra money, it will be nice when they learn to drive, if I didn't have them I'd probably use such a service.
 

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