About the Client:
We're seeking a compassionate caregiver for an 80-year-old woman living independently in a three-level townhouse in Burlington. She recently returned home after a hospital stay and is working to rebuild her strength and routine. While she handles most personal care tasks independently, she needs consistent support with daily activities, light household tasks, and most importantly, encouragement to stay active and engaged. She speaks both English and Portuguese, with Portuguese being her first language. She's warming up to the idea of having regular help and is looking for someone who can provide gentle motivation and companionship.
Responsibilities:
- Take her for daily walks around the neighborhood, providing encouragement and support as she walks at a slower pace
- Prepare and reheat meals from pre-delivered frozen meal service (Heart to Home), ensuring she eats regular, nutritious meals throughout the day
- Assist with medication reminders and management
- Light housekeeping including tidying up and helping carry items like cases of water upstairs
- Provide companionship and conversation during visits
- Monitor her overall well-being and communicate any concerns to family
- Encourage regular activity and help prevent prolonged periods of inactivity
What We're Looking For:
- Someone who is calm, patient, and brings positive energy to each visit
- A caregiver who takes initiative and provides gentle encouragement without being pushy
- Reliable and consistent presence who can build trust over time
- Clear communicator who keeps family informed of any changes or concerns
- Respectful of her independence while providing necessary support
- Experience working with seniors who may be resistant to accepting help
- Ability to motivate and engage someone who tends to make excuses to avoid activity
- Portuguese language skills are highly preferred but not mandatory
- Local to Burlington/Oakville area for reliability in all weather conditions
Schedule:
Starting with Monday, Wednesday, and Friday visits, approximately 2 hours per visit. The family anticipates increasing to daily visits (Monday through Friday) as she becomes more comfortable with care. Visits should include time for a walk, meal preparation, and general companionship. Flexibility to start as early as next week is ideal. The family is committed to a three-month arrangement with potential for long-term care.
Family Context:
This is the family's first time arranging professional care. Her son and daughter-in-law both work full-time and live nearby (about 6 minutes away), staying in close contact throughout the day. She lost her regular walking companion about a year ago and has become increasingly homebound, which has affected her physical health and led to swelling in her legs. The family is working on helping her downsize from her current home and exploring long-term care options. She still drives but the family has concerns about her continued driving. She attends church weekly on Tuesdays. The goal is to help her maintain independence, improve her physical activity, and ensure she's eating properly while providing the family with peace of mind during work hours.
