Aging in place may be the goal for most of us, but making repairs in that place is another matter. For example, can you get up on a ladder to change the battery in a smoke detector? And what about when your appliances are on the fritz or your air conditioner conks out on a hot day? You may like your independence but can you manage all the responsibilities that go with it?

If these questions make you queasy, then you need to discover Umbrella, a new start-up currently serving Long Island but with plans to spread out nationwide. The concept of Umbrella is to provide help with the household chores that inevitably accompany living in your home by employing “neighbors,” i.e., primarily retirees who have the skills and willingness to come fix whatever needs fixing. With an annual membership fee for customers (who must be 65 and older) and an hourly fee per job, you can rest assured that your toaster will be fixed, your ceiling fan repaired and you may even make a new friend in the process. Or, if you’re handy, this may be an opportunity to utilize your talents, earn a little money and stay engaged. Check out the Umbrella Facebook page and read more about this clever idea to hire your peers to help you remain at home.

And if you’re curious about other start-ups out there aimed to assist older individuals, check out this recent listing from A Place For Mom.