“The service is geared towards the frail aged person or person with a disability. The work is primarily to help our client but the safety of their carer is also important and we do modifications to ensure their safety,” coordinator Trudy Mallick said.

Mrs Mallick said the types of work undertaken by the home modification and maintenance service can range from minor adjustments such as the fitting of a hand-held shower to a complete bathroom modification.

Work undertaken by the service is specially tailored to the person and to their needs, and complies with the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards.

“We always try and make it so people can stay in their house,” Mrs Mallick said.

Fully licensed builders are used for all the modifications and maintenance work and are not limited to residential premises.

“Commercial premises can consult for the most appropriate access to the building,” Mrs Mallick said, adding the ramp in the entrance to Bella Donna is one of the more familiar commercial projects undertaken.

“Most people think a ramp is a ramp but it’s not,” Mrs Mallick said.

Ramps must be installed correctly, which means adhering to height/length and width requirements.

Mrs Mallick said incorrectly installed ramps can cause fear and anxiety for someone who is frail or has a disability.

“It’s a real fear and it’s a justified fear,” Mrs Mallick said.

The Forbes/Bland Home Modification and Maintenance Service are set to start a monthly home maintenance service to help keep homeowners in their homes and safe from injuries.

Mrs Mallick said the service won’t be utilised as a regular cleaning service but as a one-off for home owners who need some jobs carried out which they are unable to do themselves. These might include changing a light bulb, mowing lawns, pruning shrubs and possibly cleaning gutters.