Recent press releases highlighting the journeys of retired home caregivers show that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees around the world are discovering that home care is the key that unlocks the door to unique, authentic and free travel to destinations they’ve only dreamed of before.
Unfortunately, many retirees don’t have the freedom to spend their retirement savings on leisure items or excursions, such as travel. Many individuals and couples living on a fixed income have found that their funds often only cover the basics of living. 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. Homesitting allows them to connect with homeowners in need of homesitters. In exchange for a valuable service, retirees can enter new worlds, which would otherwise be closed to them.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming are retired from New Zealand. This retired couple has only been housesitting for a year. They report that they would not be able to travel to all the places they dreamed of if it were not for becoming house keepers. The McSkimmings have discovered that taking care of the house is the key that allows them to experience different cultures on a new level.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming report that they don’t want to travel like “tourists” and that quick visits to some popular areas don’t satisfy them. The McSkimmings really enjoy immersing themselves in new areas and enjoy being home. Housekeeping allows them to become fictional citizens in various countries and gives them an authentic experience.
The McSkimmings had five months to occupy houses in the UK and were thrilled when they were able to find five houses. “We stay in a beautiful 200-year-old stone farmhouse, formerly a flour mill, in South Wales. We care for pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable Border Collies,” reports McSkimmings. They also recently had a stay at a rectory in County Cork, Ireland, where they befriended an African parrot they were looking after. Many household chores involve caring for pets. The McSkimmings report that this is one of the highlights of their stays and fulfills their love of animals.
Brenda Marie Batty echoes the wonderful experience of taking care of the house. Ms. Batty is retired from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mrs. Batty has been a housekeeper since 1999. She has visited seven different countries and reports that her favorite houses are in Greece, France and Italy. “Housekeeping gives me the opportunity to travel further afield for a longer period of time, to places I couldn’t otherwise afford to stay on my retired budget.”
Like the McSkimmings, Ms. Batty truly enjoys immersing herself in the culture and lifestyle of the various areas she visits. She has found that every country has welcomed her with open arms. At a recent residency in Greece, she really felt like one of her with her neighbors. “I even got to whitewash steps and walls in Greece… I joined the people on the island who were preparing for Easter to come. I really felt like a local then! It was also a lot of fun. I enjoy traveling on this level, meeting new people and becoming part of their communities.
Home sitters are in high demand all over the world. Retirees who register as home sitters are among the first caregivers seen by homeowners. Homeowners know that the life experience cannot be replicated. Homeowners trust seniors and trust them to watch over and care for their home, possessions, and pets.
Many times senior home keepers are asked to return for return stays. Mrs. Batty has had numerous repeat visits. The McSkimmings will most likely be asked for a repeat stay as well, as this is their first year and they are only now getting their feet wet and meeting homeowners. Both the McSkimmings and Ms. Batty report that the homeowners are warm and welcoming. Friendships are easily formed and many homeowners keep up with “their” housekeepers throughout the year.
Both the McSkimmings and Mrs. Batty report that maturity, flexibility, and a love of animals are essential to being a good housekeeper. However, making the right connection with prospective homeowners who sign up with a reputable hosting site is key. HouseCarers is at the top as “the” place to make safe connections. Mrs. Batty makes no secret of her enthusiasm or appreciation for Ian White and HouseCarers.com. “Two thumbs up for HouseCarers!”
Becoming a house sitter is a fairly easy process. You can visit HouseCarers.com online and, for less than the price of dinner, you can register as a house sitter for a whole year. You will be given 30 full lines to describe yourself. You can list multiple locations where you are available to house-sit, along with the dates you are available. You can even use the sample banner that appears on the site to guide you in entering 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 all this for free. When house seats become 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 is kept confidential and is only disclosed to a homeowner when you feel comfortable.
Becoming a home sitter will save you thousands of dollars on travel and lodging. By making yourself available to a homeowner as a house sitter, you are providing them with an invaluable service. Homeowners can leave their residence knowing they are leaving it in good hands. Home sitters can be asked to perform routine tasks such as pet care, gardening or even scheduling a home repair if the need arises. You may be asked to forward mail, forward phone messages, or take a pet for a scheduled veterinary visit. The house sits on a long range. Some may be for a week, while others may be for a month or more. The requirements are minimal if you compare it to what you receive.
Housekeeping opens the door to experiences you couldn’t afford, even if you had the funds to do so. Home care allows people to live in beach houses by the sea, English cottages or castles, ski lodges in the snow-capped mountains, and even ranches or farms in the countryside. Can you think of any other service you could provide someone that would allow you to sample grapes from a working vineyard, pick Dutch tulips, or eat authentic cuisine straight from their home countries without a monetary investment from you? All this can be yours, and more, as a house sitter.
You simply can’t put a price on the services a home sitter provides. Homeowners are not comfortable leaving their homes empty when they have to travel for an extended period of time. House keepers are the number one crime seekers. Criminals can easily bypass most alarm systems. However, criminals and would-be burglars will avoid a home if someone is in the residence.
In addition to providing much-needed security to a homeowner, home sitters can also save you a lot of worry about the “physical” security of your homes. If a pipe breaks, most homeowners wouldn’t know it until they returned to a deluge of water and tens of thousands of dollars in repair work. If a fire starts, a homeowner could return to find his home a smoldering heap of rubble and ash. By having a house sitter on site, the homeowner can walk away knowing that if an emergency arises, there is a sitter on site who can address a burst pipe, call the fire department, or handle a weather emergency.
If you’re interested in traveling the world like Jim and Thelma McSkimming or Brenda Marie Batty, you need to register at HouseCarers.com. These home keepers have found that retirement doesn’t mean the end of an exciting life. In any case, their last years are offering them unique and satisfying experiences. McSkimming and Ms. Batty have found a way to seize their dreams and do all the things they’ve longed to do. With the support of their family, they are touring the world without putting a dent in their retirement funds, and they are enjoying every minute of it.
Copyright © 2005, Ian White
