“I was gambling on what would die first-me or my furnace!” This statement was made by a 94-year-old last January who called CareWell Services to appeal for gap-filling funding to help with a furnace fix.
This caller’s furnace died in January and she needed an immediate urgent repair. She was using space heaters, which rapidly raised her electric bill and stressed her budget even more.
Furnaces, roofs, wells, septic, water heaters, refrigerators, and stoves all have finite lifespans, and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. If you put 20-year shingles on your home 18 years ago, you should be making a plan to replace that roof!
There are limited local grants available to assist seniors with minor home repairs. Some of the programs have waitlists, or rapidly use up funding each year, so getting on those lists before damage is being done, or before your home becomes unlivable is important!
Your local economic development agency, Senior Millage, Community Action Agency, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and US Rural Development Authority may have funding to address maintenance needs. The Health Department has some funding for lead pipe and faucet replacement, especially if kids are at risk of lead exposure. You can also consider a home equity line of credit through your credit union or bank to fund needed repairs.
Neighborhoods Incorporated is our local Housing Assistance Resource Agency, and can answer some questions or help you navigate available programs.
Asking for help is hard, but delaying that ask can be more expensive in the long run, for your home, and your health. That minor leak from uncleaned rain gutters may be causing mold inside walls, which makes asthma or COPD worse. The dirt, dust and dander build-up in an unswept or unvacuumed home puts more stress on your furnace fans and refrigerator coils.
Maintaining a healthy home is part of healthy aging. Please call CareWell Services at (269) 966-2450 if you are struggling and need help problem-solving to age in place successfully.