Photo: Contributed

Better at Home is a program where seniors can have some light housecleaning done in their homes, allowing them to live independently longer.

There's no place like home, and a program is doing what it can to keep seniors in their own homes.

Better at Home is a program where seniors can have some light housecleaning done in their homes, allowing them to live independently longer.

Many studies show maintaining independence is the most important factor to those within the aging population. A clean home means that a senior won't be evicted or forced to move into a care home.

A clean home also reduces allergy and asthma symptoms, lowers stress and fatigue and lessens the spread of germs.

Lisa Roberts, Better at Home co-ordinator, said the cleaning program has been in operation since 2014.

“It's a United Way program that's funded by the B.C. government,” said Roberts.

But with some 200 seniors on the list, more funding is needed so a fundraising campaign is being launched.

“We have way more seniors than we do funding. Housecleaning is one of our highest demand services.”

For a senior, having someone come in and clean their home can mean the difference between having to move out or remaining in their own abode.

Seniors pay for a portion of the cleaning service.

“Seniors pay for what they can afford. The majority of our seniors are subsidized,” said Roberts.

Roberts said donating to the program would make a great Christmas present. A $60 donation can pay to have a senior's home cleaned for a month.

“They could even give it as a gift certificate in someone else's name,” said Roberts.

Donations can be made online, or at the Nexus BC Vernon office, 102-3201 30th Street.