The Senior Helpers Program

The Senior Helpers Program maintains lists of workers who registered for tasks such as home repairs, housekeeping, shopping, transportation, companionship and other tasks. Jobs can be one-term or longer depending on the agreement between the Senior Helper and the person hiring.
 

For full details about the program review the Senior Helpers Brochure. 

Do You Want to Register to be a Senior Helper? 

  • You must be 55+ and be a Broome County resident. 
  • Call 607-778-6105 and leave a message with your full name, address and phone number. We will mail you paperwork you must complete to register for the program. 
  • We are looking for workers with skills in these areas: at home hairdressers, companions, handy work, housekeeping, lawn and garden care takers, personal care, pet care, shopping, snow removal, transportation. 
  • The jobs range from one-time or short-term assignments to long-term placements.
  • Wages are negotiated between you and your employer.

Do You Need Work Done?

  • The Senior Helpers Program helps older individuals continue to live in their homes by helping them with the chores they can no longer do for themselves.
  • If you need to hire help call (607) 778-6105 and leave a message with your full name, mailing address and phone number. A list of workers will be mailed to you. You will use this list to select the person you want to hire. Please note that workers on these lists are not Office for Aging employees. We recommend checking references and negotiating price and conditions of the work to be performed. For a sample contract please click on our Hiring the Help You Need Brochure below. 
  • Typical Senior Helper jobs include:
    • A one-time assignment painting a room
    • A short-term job repairing broken steps
    • A short-term job helping with personal care for someone just out of the hospital
    • An on-going assignment in lawn mowing and yard work
    • A long-term housekeeping or personal-care job
  • Wages are negotiated between you and your employee.

There is no charge for the Senior Helpers Program referral services. Contributions, however, are accepted. You will not be denied service due to your inability or unwillingness to contribute.

 

Helpful Links

Hiring the Help You Need is a publication which explains an employer's responsibilities and provides sample contracts and other tools.  
More detailed information is available from the Internal Revenue Service, Publication 926:  Household Employers Tax Guide, and from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Publication 27:  What You Need to Know if You Hire Household Help.