How to outsource chores at any budget

From taking out the garbage to mowing the lawn or shoveling the walk, routine household tasks can be the straw that broke the caregiver's back. Especially when you have your own separate household to take care of.

And though you may feel compelled to do it all yourself, there is help.

The problem: People don't see it coming until they are burnt out, says Tabatha Barrett, director of social services and transportation at DARTS, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that provides household services for older adults. “It takes a long time before they really identify as a caregiver, when in actuality they could be getting help much sooner.”

Key, Barrett says, is recognizing the need for help and developing a management plan for household tasks. Here are some steps to getting there.

Start by creating a list of daily chores.

Include what you can or prefer to do and what you struggle with. Talk with your loved one and family members about what needs to be done. Consider the strengths of each family member and how each might be able to contribute.

“Form that team of supportive people in your loved one’s life,” Barrett says. “And it doesn’t have to be family. It could be all friends.” 

Think broadly.

Big things like delivering meals or mowing the lawn weekly can be a load off. But something seemingly small, like help with beard trimming can go a long way too.

Explore services.

Once you’ve determined what tasks you and your support team can manage, you might be left with some duties that require outside help. Make sure to factor in your family’s budget constraints before jumping into outsourcing a job. You want to make sure it’s sustainable.

“There are services available and many of them are income eligible,” Barrett says.

DARTS, for example, receives a variety of grants that allow the organization to offer a sliding scale rate on outdoor chores, homemaking services and caregiver services for income eligible older adults. Eligibility is based on the loved one’s income, not the caregiver’s.

Embrace your role as the manager.

Once tasks are distributed, it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page about expectations, and that chores are being completed consistently. It’s a good idea to check in with helpers and employees periodically to make sure everyone is handling their jobs, and to make changes if necessary.