Care & Repair: Free DIY jobs for Older People

At Age Action, our Care and Repair service helps older people stay safe and independent in the place they want to be most, in their own home. For many, everyday household jobs become increasingly difficult or risky, and without support, small problems can quickly turn into serious safety concerns.

Recently, our Care and Repair team supported Mary, an older woman living alone in a rural area. Mary had become anxious about moving around her home after nearly falling on her front step during wet weather. She also struggled to change lightbulbs and reach cupboards safely.

After being referred to the service, a Care and Repair volunteer visited Mary’s home to carry out a number of small but vital jobs. A secure handrail was fitted at the front step, loose fixtures were repaired, and lighting was improved throughout the house.

“These might seem like small things,” Mary told us, “but they’ve made a huge difference. I feel safer moving around my home now, and I’m not constantly worried about falling.”

Stories like Mary’s are common. Every week, Age Action’s Care and Repair service responds to referrals from older people who want to remain independent but need practical support to do so safely. By addressing these issues early, we help prevent falls, reduce hospital admissions, and ease pressure on families and health services.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Care and Repair continues to provide trusted, practical help to older people across Ireland. Your support allows us to respond quickly, carry out essential repairs, and give people the confidence to live well and safely at home.

Together, we’re making sure that small repairs don’t become big problems and that older people can continue living with dignity, comfort, and independence.

At Age Action, our Care and Repair service supports older people to live safely and independently in their own homes. Often, it’s the small changes that make the biggest difference — like fitting grab rails, repairing a step, or replacing a lightbulb.

Sandra Kelly from Wexford knows just how important this can be.

“I found all of a sudden that I needed help getting out of the bath and the shower. I would get very dizzy in the shower and was in danger of falling over. I knew I needed grab rails to help. I have two sons but one of them lives away and the other one is not a handy man, so he was worried he would install them the wrong way and that I might fall.

So, I filled out the forms for the referral for Care and Repair, the public health nurse got the rails and then the lovely chap from Age Action came along to install them. Now I have one in the bathroom and one long one by the bath. It’s great, I’m able to pull myself out of the shower without fear of falling over.”

– Sandra Kelly, Care and Repair client, Wexford

For Sandra, a simple home adaptation meant the difference between fear and confidence. Every week, we receive calls from people just like her — older members of our community who want to remain independent but need a little extra support to do so safely.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Age Action’s Care and Repair service is able to answer those calls. Each donation helps us provide skilled volunteers and staff who carry out essential jobs in homes across Ireland — work that protects dignity, prevents accidents, and gives families peace of mind.

With your support, we can reach even more people like Sandra and ensure that no one has to face the choice between safety and independence.

Links:

• More info available on our website