There is a great thread on Hacker News asking techies (and others) to HELP SENIORS.
This is a giant list, but I feel that the time has come, after years of it not being right) for a seniors (and others) helping seniors.

Tell HN: your next idea should focus on aged care
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40951324

I'm opening up my old notebooks and I'm ready to make things happen.
And I just got a son-in-law who can program the techie stuff.
The low-tech stuff is just as important and needs to be done.

I seem to recall home inspection checklist "apps", and I'll follow up when I find them.
I have dealt with contractors and am really unimpressed.
Fellow seniors might be a better bet, and call in the contractor only when the building inspector is involved.

Keep this idea kicked!

But my friend has turned her back on technology. I'm surprised she has Internet and cable. I've told her about websites she could check to find contractors for everything she needs, but she doesn't want to to it that way and not surprising, she is frustrated by her lack of results.

I have help if I need it from a variety of age groups, and I appreciate that lore, know-how and hands-on is being passed along.

Thanks for your post.

I would do a ton to help others, but I am in a very isolated place.
I intend to change that soon.

Back to helping neighbors fix things, real soon.

And between the low-tech stuff and higher tech stuff still To Be Invented, I am pretty stoked by the prospects.

Look (pun intended), it takes me, even nearsighted and taking my glasses off, almost a minute to find expiration dates on food items.
I did so last night, and had to invoke a powerful magnifying glass.

There's simple stuff to do.
I'll find those home checklists (especially when I go to sell this place) and they can be PRINTED for others

I ran computer systems for a department in a renowned university, and some professors asked that their emails be printed.

will probably do that till I can't

I hear you on vision. I have some pretty good magnifying glasses. If all else fails, I take a picture and zoom it lol

Good luck on the changes you're making.

I don't know why I never thought of that! I'll have to remember to do that the next time I'm out shopping and trying (in vain) to read the labels on things.

I have also started keeping a small flashlight in a kitchen drawer and will be adding a magnifier soon, after having too many frustrating experiences trying to read the cooking instructions on packaged foods.

You wouldn't believe the gymnastics I go through to read the store shelf, let alone the fine print on packages lol

I collect/sell antiques and collectibles. For years I carried a magnifier, tape measure and magnet in my purse. Now I need the magnifyer to read the tape! lol

and which can wait. Of course, good handymen are hard to find. Your friend sounds depressed and maybe if that could be taken care of, the repairs would fall into place. On the other hand, she may be a candidate for a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) if her health and finances permit, or a nice Independent Living or Senior rental apartment and saying goodbye to these issues entirely.

You're right about her outlook. She had a lot of unexpected injuries at different times this last year and she is discouraged. Ordinarily, she runs rings around me