Self-Help For the Elderly

Donate and buy here great cause!!! You will love what you find!!! You will feel great helping people who really need it!!!

I really don’t understand how the social workers and Caregiver Specialist at Self Help do their work. I came to them for help as the victim but yet I’m being accused of as the suspect (figure of speech). I’ve been verbally and at times phyically abused by my mom for 5 years now and it’s not easy to tolerate. I hope someone from this organization can actually help me. Thanks!

I was hesitant at first to spend the money for a cleaning service. I’m a new mom working part-​time so my evenings are packed with house choirs and spending precious time with my newborn.
My husband bless his heart would help but still we couldn’t keep up with it. so after 2 months of watching me struggle each week cleaning our 2 bed/​2 bath condo and caring for our baby he convinced me to spend the extra money to hire a cleaning service.
Self help for the Elderly was recommended to me by a dear friend and I am so happy with the service. Not only is it the best deal around for a cleaning service our cleaning lady is completely reliable and trustworthy. She speaks English well and we don’t have a problem communicating. On the first day I gave her a list of what areas I would like her to focus on cleaning and each time she cleans I am very impressed by her attention to detail. My kitchen appliances have not sparkled so much since the day we bought them.
I feel great using this service and knowing I am helping create jobs and support the nonprofit even in a small way. I highly recommend their services.

I am new to the East Bay area and was referred to Self Help for the Elderly. I prefer to work with an organization with a mission I believe in. I have been very pleased with our house cleaner. She is very thorough and is always here on time which is important to me. I also like that the same person comes every time and that she is trustworthy!

I’ve been using Self-​Help for about 7 years with 3 different cleaners. They have all done a fantastic job cleaning our apartment for a reasonable rate. The people who work in the central office are also very nice to deal with. This is a wonderful organization and well worth supporting with your housekeeping needs!

I’ve had two people come out: one came on two occasions, one only once. This review reflects two experience that were quite good and deserve four stars and one horrible one that gets one.
The first person, Mr. Lee, is excellent at getting the job done and getting it done in good time, and his attitude is excellent. Unfortunately he doesn’t speak English, which makes communication complicated. If you can get Mr. Lee, then email your contact a detailed list of everything you want done ahead of time, ask your contact to review it with him, and leave him to do his job. Unless you and he speak the same language, don’t expect to be able to add things at the last minute.
Mr. Lee wasn’t available in the timeframe I wanted to get someone in, so I agreed to work with someone else. Knowing that communication can be complicated, I emailed a very detailed list of each task I wanted done which included the cleaning products to be used to the person I spoke with at the agency. I based my expectations for what could get done in the time allotted on my experience with Mr. Lee and with my former cleaning person, who’s moved away from the area. The second person failed to clean several major items on the list including the bathroom floor, the bathtub, and the kitchen floor. The kitchen sink and counter still needed work when she was «done». I had provided a great deal of detail about how to clean these areas. When I pointed out that the kitchen counter had some areas that needed work, she snapped at me that she’d cleaned them twice. When I pointed out a corner of the bathroom floor that hadn’t been touched she snapped at me again and asked me how she was supposed to clean it. That corner is hard to get to, and so I had provided detailed instructions on how to clean it in my email to the agency. Then she yelled at me. Then she told me in a very truculent tone that she was going to call her contact at the agency; apparently to complain. I heard her yelling from the next room. At that point I told her she could leave. There were several other smaller issues as well.
I ended up speaking with the CEO’s assistant. She was very gracious and very responsive about trying to fix the problem, and I give her full credit for her response. Initially I asked that Mr. Lee come out to finish the cleaning, and they arranged that.; however, after giving it some thought, I realized that I really don’t want to deal with the agency any more at all, and they are refunding my check.
Bottom line — if you can get Mr. Lee, and either speak the same language or provide a detailed list, it’s worth a try.

I used them for cleaning services and would NOT recommend them. This is too bad because I like that they help people and prices are reasonable ($ 16/​hr). But the cleaning itself is awful.
After about a year and a half of «thinking» my house was being cleaned while I was at work and coming home to it being clean, I stayed home one weekday and watched the cleaner clean and was horrified. I asked her to clean the fridge shelves and she stacked all my food on the kitchen floor right below the fridge-​when the floor hadnt been washed yet-​then cleaned it with the same rag she cleaned everything else with. I noticed she cleaned the bathroom shower then used the sponge in the sink, leaving behind tiny hairs that I noticed. She also handled my clean sheets while her bathroom gloves were on after she’d cleaned the toilet — gross. Also she brought her own gloves to clean the bathroom, but it didnt occur to me until thinking about it all that she probably cleans everyone elses bathroom with the same re-​usable gloves, which seems extremely gross that germs are being shared — i could have bought her a set if she had asked (but due to a severe language barrier — she only knew a few words of english, literally, she didnt). Lastly, she never cleaned the kitchen sink counters — in my opinion very important, right? — which I noticed because I had some milk stains on them, which come up easily with a damp towel. And this is just what I noticed while coming in and out of my room. We keep our home very clean so if these weren’t cleaned in the past I wouldnt necessarily have noticed, After she left I re-​cleaned my whole appt, so had to waste all the money paid and do it myself.

I truly wish SHFTE did a fantastic job cleaning my apartment and is 5 star worthy, because I respect how they help the Chinese community. I have been using them for about four years, and the cleaning service is decent at best. The outcome has improved lately, but they have also raised the prices twice in the past year. On the positive side, they will do your laundry and leave your place tidy and smelling clean. On the negative, it is hard to communicate and the service leaves something to be desired

I feel lucky in having the two ladies from Self-​Help to do the full Home Health Care & Cleaning for my elderly Mom. One works 3 — 4 weekdays, the other on weekends only. Taking care of an elderly family member is time-​consuming and stressful; therefore, to have the help and some much needed time off is important. The Self-​Help staff gives me and other family members that time.
Their primary job is to give daily basic care to my Mom. Besides cooking the meals in the flavors my Mom is use to, they understand and speak the same village dialect, thereby giving her a sense of personal companionship. The Self-​Help caregivers also do cleaning throughout the house when time permits. We’re very happy with their work and flexible schedule. They have almost become members of our family.
I know they’re doing a good job… When they leave at the end of the day; My Mom is a little disappointed and ask if they will be back the next day.

I know the reviews here are predominantly about their cleaning services. I’m writing a review on their bill payment station. I found out that you can drop off your PG&E and AT&T payments in the basement of this organization. Bill payment is M-​F, 11:00 AM to 3:00. If you do not see a person at the counter, just ring the bell and someone comes by to process your payment. That is pretty good!

The staff here at Self-​Help for the Elderly are very friendly and courteous. I don’t know about the services they have available here. Want obtain additional information regarding the services they have here? Come on in and speak one of the staff members to find out.
Their basement is an authorized neighborhood bill payment center. If you have any utilities bills for PG&E or AT&T to pay for, then this is the spot to take care of such transactions. They were also an authorized Fast Pass vendor when MUNI was still using the paper passes.

I highly recommend Mr. Lu as a cleaner. I used him as my regular cleaner for many years and continue to use him on a one-​time heavy duty cleaning basis. Unfortunately I needed him to come recently but he was on vacation. In reading the Unilocal reviews, I requested Oi-​oi, which I came to HIGHLY REGRET. I have a 800 sq foot 1 bedroom plus apartment that does NOT require 4 hours of cleaning, which is their minimum for heavy duty cleaning. I’m not sure what she did during these 4 hours other than laundry and rearranging where everything should be. The toilet and shower were cleaned but she seemed to forgot to mop the bathroom floor, kitchen floor and vacuum the apartment.
When I called Self-​Help to get an explanation, they couldn’t offer any. They told me they would call her and let me know. I have yet to hear from them — over 2 weeks now. I also asked if I could receive a discount on my next cleaning visit, which they said would not be possible. They said they could send her back. They then asked why I requested her. I told her I found her recommended on Unilocal.They then proceeded to tell me that she is not the best worker and is highly emotional and that they have much better workers than her. I was very surprised by this. Why would they send out workers whom they know are sub-​par?!
I highly support the SHFE but question their new staff. I have recommended them to friends, who have had mixed experiences as well. The new staff still needs alot of experience in managing their workers and clients. Make sure to question the worker they send. Be very clear about what you want done. Good luck!

I think here is my theory on cleaning people so far: if you don’t give them direction, oftentimes, the first time they’ll WOW you and do an amazing job and after that, they tend to get a little lazy.
So now I feel like it’s on ME and only me to make sure I give you, my cleaning support, clear and concise directions as to what I need and want cleaned in the house. If I didn’t and you didn’t do it, and it wasn’t really a general area in the house then I can’t fault you can I?
Now I point it all out, inside the fridge, the windows, the windowsills, do the laundry, etc.
And with SHFTE, I feel like not only is my home getting cleaned, but I’m also helping people who really want to work and need the money. They are also cheaper than other services I have used in the Bay Area.
They do a good job, the service is consistent. The prices are cheap, and they all do laundry for me which I like when I have an extra load to throw in. I also feel comfortable leaving them in the house alone.
One thing though: being Asian, sometimes they come over and yell at me in Chinese about what a disgrace I am for being Chinese and so messy. Then they tell me that I should sign up for the regular every two week automatic service instead of what I do, which is call in whenever I feel the house is a mess service.
The reason why I don’t give them 5 stars, is that I’ve had better cleaning ladies then them. My cleaning lady in San Diego, on a general basis didn’t need reminders about what to do but maybe every quarter. She also did things that I never even thought of and organized some of my mess. (there is a diff between the mess and the dirt they clean– mess is the piles of papers and books, dirt to me is the dust, and stuff you throw out and get rid of) So yes, I’ve had better. But I’m the first to admit I’m not Martha Stewart, nor am I aiming to be. I just want a clean house, doesn’t have to be super spic and span, just clean and neat and tidy. And SHFTE does exactly that.

When we switched to weekly service we had to get a new cleaner. That was 6 months ago and it was too long. John has been gone for a month now and we have canceled our agreement with SHFTE. The service was mediocre and I continued to use them because I thought they were such a good deal at $ 15/​hour.
Looking for a new cleaner now and happy to pay more for a GOOD cleaner.

We have used Self Help on and off for a couple of years. They are always very prompt with response to phone requests, the cleaners are nice and always show up on time. We trust them alone in our home. The price is affordable. Cleaning ability depends on the individual, some are better than others, all are better than a dirty bathroom.

Major life-​changing event to get a housecleaner, and probably contributes to the fact that my relationship remains strong :) Mrs Lee does a great job, is incredibly dedicated and a very nice lady. She doesn’t speak much english, but we muddle through, and you can always call the supervisor (mine is Joyce Tan) if you need to explain something complicated.
One dowside: she is VERY strong and she breaks stuff. a lot of stuff. but usually not anything too important.

It smells like cup ‘o noodles down here.
I don’t know about everyone else but this is where I get my fast pass. Avoid the long lines at the BART station and come here instead from the wushu martial artist looking man wth the long eyebrows. They accept commuter checks. Plus, it’s right across the street from where I work. W00T!
JONASAPPROVED!

We were referred to SHFTE from a friend who uses their service and is happy with it – unfortunately we did not have the same experience!
When we called to set up an appt to get an estimate, it took over a week for them to call us back. When they finally made it to the house, we talked with Joseph Chow and the cleaner and explained everything we wanted — floors, blinds, refrigerator, dusting, and vacuum.
Our cleaner went to work the next week and did everything BUT the floors, blinds, refrigerator, and vacuum. That means we had a VERY detailed dusting after 4 hours of work.
We promptly called Joseph Chow and explained the house had not been cleaned thoroughly and wanted a refund on the deposit. It took over 3 weeks to get a refund and we had to call them multiple times to follow up.
While this service is inexpensive, it’s nothing you couldn’t do better yourself … and for free!

Self Help for the Elderly is wonderful.
I have used Phoong in my last 3 homes and my office. She is a work horse. They are very reasonably priced. Though she doesn’t speak a lot of English we don’t have trouble communicating. She is thoughtful too. She even brought my office chinese goodies around new year. They bring in English translators on the first cleaning so you can tell them exaclty what to do and the translator sends them the message. Current costs are $ 13/​hour.
She does windows and, even cleans the outside of my door and stairs! I have used them for 4 years.

Like a lot of folks out there, I’m not a huge fan of cleaning my apartment. I’ll do my best to keep the common areas tidy, but I am generally averse to getting down and scrubbing toilets, washing floors, vacuuming, dusting, etc.
I’m willing to pay for someone else to do it, and that’s were SHFTE comes in. I’m not sure what the range of services they offer is, but they are known for their cleaning services. I first heard about them a few years ago when I had just moved into a new place and my roommate had them come by twice a month. Our cleaning lady then did an excellent job, so when I moved into the place I’m at now and got a roommate who was all for getting a cleaning lady, I gave SHFTE a call.
It was a bit of a whirlwind setting up our cleaning services. When I called SHFTE to request a housekeeper, the employment coordinator/​translator, Joseph Chow, and our new housekeeper, Yok-​Ching, came by to give an me an estimate. They kind of zipped around my apartment like human tornadoes, speaking to each other in Cantonese, asking me occasional questions about what exactly we wanted Yok-​Ching to clean, etc. I signed a contract, wrote them the deposit check ($ 54), gave Yok-​Ching a set of keys, and was told that she’d be by on our scheduled cleaning day. Excellent.
Yok-​ching does a great job. She’s thorough, puntual, and when I come home on cleaning days, it is sooooooo nice!
Ahhhhhhhhh.