My husband had a stroke almost a month ago, so he can no longer mow our lawn. I have health issues too and am allergic to grass. Our grandson has been doing it for us the last couple of years, but he is moving out of Lincoln, so we are trying to find someone that will either do it for free or charge very little. We only have my Social Security income coming in right now, and it's only $220 a month.
Do you have a PoA assigned for each of you (not each other but a younger relative who is trustworthy?) Do you have Living Wills created and submitted to your doctor's office and PoA? If you have all this -- excellent! If not, it is extremely important to do this asap. Some elder law attorneys will give a free 1-hour initial consult. I realize your finances are stretched thin but this is an investment with no regrets. You can read on this forum all the problems that snowball when seniors don't set legal mechanisms for their care in place. I hope your husband has a speedy and full recovery.
If either you or your husband is a Veteran there are local Veterans groups that will have volunteers that will help out. The VA has various programs that help keep Veterans in their homes.
If you are active in your local Church or other religious organization they sometimes have groups that volunteer to help out.
As a single parent, I had no milk or bread and I was sick and in need of a doctor and medicine. Unexpectantly a friend of mine shook my hand at church and when she did she passed a little match box to me. "Look in it when you get home." I was surprised to see a $50 bill in the box. It was exactly enough to pay the doctor, get the medicine and buy a few groceries.
Pass kindness on. Years later I was able to pass on to others the kindness and generosity that was shown to me. Now that was aprox in 1972 so a $50 gift was enormous.
I understand the liability that comes when you have others on your property. When we did this for others - we assumed our own safety but we certainly walked the property and used our own equipment. Giving to others is such a blessing.
It seems that with only $220 income, you would be in need of other services as well. The Alzheimers Assn. was very cooperative when I asked for lists of different kinds of assistance, and Senior Centers sometimes have lists as well. Your local county may also be of assistance; ours provides a variety of outreach services.
Are you getting Meals on Wheels?
I was told Boy Scouts, at least in my area, do not mow grass anymore. Its a liability thing.
I think (a) would apply in your situation, so liability is a serious thing to consider, even if you have coverage under your homeowner's property. And lawn mowers can be dangerous.
Your situation unfortunately is an example of the desperate need for more support for older people who are otherwise capable of remaining in their own homes.
You might try local agencies such as Area Agency on Aging and something like the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (in my state) (https://www.olhsa.org/complete-services for examples of what they offer), as it's my understanding that they do offer support for various homeowner's services.
Further on Jhalldenton's comments, I've seen a troubling trend on a related issue: that of requiring hold harmless, indemnification and defend agreements for a wide variety of applications, some of which are ridiculous.
Shrink wrap computer T & C have been in use for years, and to me they're offensive. But they're also required by big companies with ample assets. Now I'm seeing them on less prominent websites, and there's no applicability whatsoever. The outfit NextDoor had one in its T&C. I threw away the promotional literature; I won't indemnify some guy who's just hosting sites for neighbors to get together.
While I understand the potential of blowback, I really think the indemnification trend has gone too far. And the withdrawal of some agencies as mentioned here contributes to that opinion, but then that eliminates a source of help for those in need.
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