Recent press releases highlighting retired home caregivers’ journeys are showing that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees around the world are discovering that housekeeping is the key that opens the door to unique, authentic, and free trips to destinations they had once only dreamed of.
Unfortunately, many retirees do not have the freedom to spend their retirement eggs on pleasure items or excursions, such as travel. Many individuals and couples living on a fixed income have found that their funds generally only cover the basics of life. After a lifetime of raising families, running businesses, and being everything to everyone, retirees are discovering that there is a way to travel and experience the world on their own terms. Home care allows them to connect with homeowners in need of home carers. In exchange for a valuable service, retirees can enter new worlds, which would otherwise be closed to them.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming retire from New Zealand. This retired couple has only been looking after the house for a year. They report that they would not be able to travel to all the places they dreamed of, if it weren’t for becoming home keepers. The McSkimmers have discovered that taking care of the home is the key to experiencing different cultures on a new level.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming report that they do not want to travel as “tourists” and are not satisfied with quick visits to some popular areas. The McSkimmings really enjoy diving into new areas and enjoy taking care of the home. Taking care of the house allows them to become simulated citizens in various countries and gives them an authentic experience.
The McSkimims had five months to spend cleaning the house in the UK, and were thrilled when they were able to find five nurseries. “We stayed in a beautiful 200-year-old stone cottage, formerly a flour mill, in South Wales. We care about pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable Border Collies,” McSkimmings reports. . They also recently had a stay at a rectory in County Cork, Ireland, where they befriended an African parrot they were caring for. Many household chores involve taking care of pets. The McSkimmings report that this is one of the highlights of their stays and it fulfills their love of animals.
Brenda Marie Batty echoes the wonderful experience of caring for the home. Ms. Batty has retired from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Batty has been a babysitter since 1999. She has visited seven different countries and reports that her favorite homes are in Greece, France, and Italy. “Taking care of the house gives me the opportunity to travel further afield for a longer period of time, to places where I could not otherwise afford to keep my retirement budget.”
Like the McSkimmings, Ms. Batty truly enjoys immersing herself in the culture and lifestyle of the various areas she visits. She has discovered that each country has welcomed her with open arms. In a recent sitting house in Greece, she really felt at one with her neighbors. “I even got into stair and wall washing in Greece … I joined the island folks who were getting ready for Easter. I really felt like a local back then! It was a lot of fun too. they enjoy traveling at this level, meeting new people and being part of their communities. “
House sitters are in great demand all over the world. Retirees who sign up as home caregivers are among the first to be cared for by homeowners. Homeowners know that life’s experience cannot be reproduced. Homeowners trust and trust older people to watch over and care for their home, belongings, and pets.
Older home caregivers are often asked to return for return stays. Ms. Batty has had numerous repeat visits. It is very likely that the McSkimmings will also be asked for a repeat stay, as this is their first year and they are only now getting their feet wet and meeting the homeowners. Both the McSkimmings and Ms. Batty report that the homeowners are warm and welcoming. Friendships are easily forged and many owners keep up with “their” caretakers throughout the year.
Both the McSkimmings and Ms. Batty report that maturity, flexibility, and a love for animals are essential to being a good house keeper. However, making the proper connection with potential homeowners who sign up with a reputable home care site is key. HouseCarers is sitting at the top as “the” place to make secure connections. Ms. Batty makes no secret of her enthusiasm or appreciation for Ian White and HouseCarers.com. “Two thumbs up for HouseCarers!”
Becoming a home caregiver is a fairly easy process. You can visit HouseCarers.com on the Internet and for less than a dinner out, you can register as a home caregiver for an entire year. You will be given 30 full lines to describe yourself. You can list multiple locations where home care is available, along with the dates it is available. You can even use the sample ad that appears on the site to guide you in composing your personal information.
The information you enter is instantly available to prospective homeowners looking for a home sitter. At any time you can enter and update your profile, change your destination areas or dates, and everything is free. When the house is available in your chosen areas, you will receive an email notification. You will also be notified when you have messages from potential owners in your chosen areas. Your identity and personal information are kept confidential and are only disclosed to the home owner when you feel comfortable.
Becoming a home caregiver will save you thousands of dollars in travel and lodging. By being available to the homeowner as a home caregiver, you are providing an invaluable service. Homeowners can leave their residence knowing they are leaving it in capable hands. Home caregivers may be asked to perform routine tasks like pet sitting, gardening, or even schedule a home repair if the need arises. You may be required to forward mail, relay phone messages, or bring a pet to a scheduled vet visit. House sits on a long range. Some can last a week, while others can last a month or more. The requirements are minimal when you compare it with what you receive.
House sitting opens the door to experiences you couldn’t pay for, even if you had the funds to do so. Home care allows people to live in seaside beach houses, English country houses or castles, ski lodges in snow-capped mountains, and even country ranches or farms. Can you think of any other service you can provide to someone that allows you to taste grapes from a functioning vineyard, pick Dutch tulips, or eat authentic cuisine straight from your homeland without a monetary investment on your part? All of this can be yours, and more, as a house keeper.
You simply cannot put a price on the services that a home sitter provides. Homeowners are not comfortable leaving their houses empty when they have to travel for a long time. House sitters are the number one crime deterrent. Criminals can bypass most alarm systems with ease. However, criminals and would-be burglars will avoid a home if someone is in residence.
In addition to providing much-needed security for a homeowner, home sitters can also save you a lot of worries about the “physical” safety of your homes. If a pipe breaks, most homeowners won’t know until they return to a deluge of water and tens of thousands of dollars in repair work. If a fire starts, a homeowner could possibly return and find their home a smoking pile of rubble and ash. By having a home caregiver on site, a homeowner can leave knowing that if an emergency arises, there is a caregiver on site who can deal with a burst pipe, call the fire department, or handle a weather emergency. .
If you are interested in traveling the world like Jim and Thelma McSkimming or Brenda Marie Batty, you must register at HouseCarers.com. These home caregivers have discovered that retirement does not mean the end of an exciting life. In any case, their last years are bringing them unique and satisfying experiences. McSkimming and Ms. Batty have found a way to make their dreams come true and do all the things they wanted to do. With the support of their family, they are traveling the world without putting a dent in their retirement funds, and they are enjoying every minute of it.
Copyright © 2005, Ian White