Farhan Ul-Haq wants to give Okotoks seniors peace of mind.
Ul-Haq has launched Okotoks Seniors Support, a home maintenance company exclusively for seniors that aims to reduce their stress and keep them in their homes longer.
A recent arrival from Toronto where he operated a similar business for two years, Ul-Haq said many seniors would prefer to stay in their own home as they age, but aren’t always able to maintain it.
“They don't really want to go to a retirement home or downsize, they want to stay in their own home, but it's just the home becomes a burden,” he said. “That's basically where Okotoks Seniors Support comes in, and we take that burden away. We take that stress away and we maintain it for them.”
The company offers a variety of services, everything from yard maintenance and snow removal to window washing and handyman jobs.
“The whole idea is that it’s a one-stop shop for everything. It’s all kinds of jobs, like changing light bulbs, repairing a deck, power washing the driveway. The whole idea is you’re getting the peace of mind knowing there is someone that you can call to help who will do just about anything around the home and yard.”
Okotoks Seniors Support won’t undertake anything trades related, so Ul-Haq said it wouldn’t build a deck, but it would re-stain one or replace a rotten plank.
It also offers senior-specific services like installing grab bars or hand rails, or placing non-slip tape under area rugs.
As well, the company provides basic IT support for seniors to help remove the stress often caused by technology.
“This company sounds like it's a home maintenance company, which it is, but the whole idea is about giving seniors this peace of mind so that’s where the basic technology support comes in,” said Ul-Haq.
He said he has helped many seniors with IT issues, everything from setting up a new laptop to connecting a phone to Wi-Fi to ensuring they can FaceTime with their kids and grandkids.
“It's very simple, but it's still very stressful for them to do all that,” he said.
Despite its services being applicable to people of all ages, Ul-Haq said Okotoks Seniors Support will only take on clients who are 50-plus, the only exception being those who are disabled.
“But if my lazy neighbour calls me and says, ‘Hey, can you cut my lawn?’ That's basically a no, so I will be turning customers away if they're not seniors,” he said.
To get in touch with Okotoks Seniors Support, call 403-690-3000 or visit okotoksseniors.com.