Any persons aged 55 or older living in the Renfrew-Collingwood boundaries (see map below) is eligible to purchase the service.

The service cost $18.00 per hour and there is a minimum charge of 2 hours per appointment. The program does offer subsidy so the cost may be lower for you. However, the current wait list for subsidy is over three years.

The first step is to call for an intake. The program coordinator will schedule a home visit to go over the program with you in detail and conduct a home tour. They will then select a housekeeper who matches your schedule and will book the first cleaning appointment with you. Once you are assigned a housekeeper, you will contact the housekeeper directly to schedule your appointments.

To call for an intake, dial: 604-435-0375.

Each situation is unique and is assessed case by case. Factors that would affect the decision may include the total number of people in the household, the relationship between household members (i.e. renters, family members etc.) and the size of the house and rooms. Please contact the program manager for more detail.

The below list is not intended to be complete and a housekeeper may reserve the right to refuse service that they deem outside of the scope of service or are dangerous.

Services we offer	Services we do not offer
Mopping	Meal preparation
Sweeping	Bathing
Vaccuuming	Pet care and cleaning up after pets
Dusting	Help with medication
Laundry assistance	Personal care (i.e. nail trim, dressing)
Making the bed	Deep clean of any kind
Light scrub: Bathtub	Stove: Interior
Light scrub: Toilet	Fridge: Interior
Bathroom counters, surfaces, floor	Walls
Kitchen stove: Exterior only	Cleaning that requires moving furniture
Kitchen fridge: Exterior only	Cleaning of areas that require the use of a step stool or ladder
Kitchen counter and surfaces
Taking household garbage out

The service is intended to help maintain a clean and tidy environment and to be able to offer this service at a below market cost, we ask that seniors agree to a minimum of a 3 month commitment. To get the most out of the service, we suggest signing up for bi-weekly cleaning service. Some seniors choose to receive the service weekly or monthly. The choice is yours.

The housekeepers arrive empty handed and will use your tools, supplies, and equipment. Please have the following items in good working condition ready for the housekeeper:

• Duster
• Broom and dust pan
• Mop and bucket with wringer
• Rags and/or paper towels
• A vacuum
• Cleaning products of your choice, such as dish soap, window cleaner, degreasers, general cleaning sprays, a vinegar-based solution etc.

The housekeeper can assist with laundry provided that laundry machines are in the building. Please have tokens or coins ready to go along with detergents and any other products you wish to use. A housekeeper may refuse a service if the equipment provided is not in good working order (i.e. a mop without a wringer, a broken vacuum).

Our housekeepers are independent contractors who have been vetted through Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Housekeepers are paid with pre-paid vouchers that you purchase from Collingwood Neighbourhood House. The vouchers can be purchased at the front desk during operating hours or by mail with a cheque. Please see the Voucher FAQ for more information.

You have the right to complain if you are not happy with the service you are receiving or the way you are being treated.

• Step 1: Attempt to resolve the problem with your housekeeper
• Step 2: Contact a Program Coordinator

If you don’t want to speak with the housekeeper, or if you are not satisfied with the worker’s response, contact a Coordinator. The coordinator may also speak with the housekeeper or others involved, only if necessary. A coordinator will give you a written response on how the situation has been dealt with. If you make a verbal complaint, a coordinator will document the complaint and attempt to resolve the problem.

Please contact your housekeeper directly to reschedule or cancel. You must give at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid being charged for the session. If you provide less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be invoiced for the full service.

As above it will be up to you to arrange a cleaning schedule with your housekeeper. If your regular day falls on a statutory or religious holiday, your housekeeper may reschedule.

Clients are asked to let their housekeeper or the coordinator know immediately if they suspect they may have bed bugs or any other infestation in their home (i.e. rodents, cockroaches, fleas, etc.). Infestations can occur easily in any home; the sooner it is dealt with the better!

We offer a low cost seniors shuttle which runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-2:30. Fee ranges from by donation to $10 for a round trip. We also offer light yard work services, a friendly visiting program, and various seniors drop in social and recreational programs.

You can call the program co-oridnator at 604-435-0375 or email at ahofmarks@cnh.bc.ca.