About the Clients:
We are seeking an experienced overnight caregiver for a couple in their 70s residing in a retirement home in Trenton, Ontario. The client (73) has non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NASH disease) with recurring episodes requiring 24-hour monitoring during flare-ups. He experiences significant weakness during episodes, frequent nighttime bathroom visits (4-7 times per night), and fluid retention requiring diuretic management. The other client (79) has moderate-stage dementia and is generally calm at night, sleeping through most nights. She is incontinent and wears depends 24 hours. Both clients use mobility aids (walker/wheelchair) and require supervision to prevent falls. They have a cat in their apartment and maintain a slow, quiet pace throughout the day and night.
Responsibilities:
- Provide awake overnight supervision from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- Assist the client with frequent nighttime toileting and fall prevention
- Monitor for fever symptoms and administer oral medications as needed following the caregiver log book (Tylenol for elevated temperature after checking timing)
- Assist both clients with mobility using walker/wheelchair as needed
- Provide toileting and hygiene support
- Monitor the other client's condition during illness episodes and document observations in the caregiver log
- Ensure safety supervision for both clients throughout the night
- Communicate any concerns or changes in condition to the care coordinator
What We're Looking For:
- PSW or equivalent caregiving certification preferred
- Experience with overnight care and awake supervision
- Comfortable administering oral medications and following medication logs
- Strong mobility assistance skills with walker/wheelchair transfers
- Experience supporting clients with cognitive impairment and dementia
- Ability to remain alert and responsive throughout overnight shifts
- Calm, patient demeanor with excellent judgment
- Reliable and consistent attendance
- Comfortable working in a retirement home environment
- Cat-friendly
- English-speaking
- Ability to work independently while following established care protocols
Schedule:
This is an urgent overnight position requiring immediate coverage. The regular schedule is one guaranteed overnight shift per week (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM), with additional shifts of 2-3 nights per week needed during the clients's health episodes (when he has a cold or other illness affecting his condition). Shifts are typically 9 hours but can extend up to 12 hours as needed. This is a three-month commitment with the possibility of ongoing care as the clients' needs evolve. The couple is preparing for eventual long-term care transition but wishes to remain in their retirement home as long as safely possible. Flexibility for emergency coverage is essential, as the client's episodes can occur suddenly and his judgment about his own condition is sometimes impaired. The retirement home has mandated awake supervision due to safety concerns, and the current care team provides coverage from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
