The Smithers Community Services Association's struggle to find a new housekeeper for its Better at Home program is causing grief to at least one client.
Annette Maze, a long-time client of Better at Home, has been waiting for more almost three months for housekeeping services. The housekeeper she previously had resigned in April.
“I cannot get down on my hands and my knees anymore to properly clean. I can mop the floor, but my dusting has not been done in over two and a half months because I cannot climb up on a stool,” Maze said.
“[My husband, Ray, and I] are persevering, but I need help.”
The Better at Home program is designed to help seniors stay in their own homes longer for a better quality of life. It offers community-based services such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping, snow shovelling, transportation and light yard work. Many Smithers seniors rely on these services throughout the week.
Myung Lee, executive director for the Smithers Community Services Association, said they are in the process of hiring someone to replace the previous housekeeper.
However, Lee could not specify when a housekeeper would be expected to join Better at Home.
“We have been interviewing and want to hire someone ASAP,” Lee said.
She added that the program is looking for someone who can also socialize and spend time with clients, in addition to conducting cleaning services.
For the time being, Lee suggested clients find a private housekeeping service to help them.
Maze is not satisfied with that solution because she cannot afford to hire someone privately.
“Ray and I are on limited pensions, and we don’t have lots of money. That’s what first got me in the Better at Home program because [it would] be $24 every two weeks,” Maze said.
“We are elderly and we need help. No one is giving me a clear answer as to when we will be getting help again."
