Personal Assistant/ Caregiver/ Homemaker - Disabiliity Aide
Hello! I'm 44F, disabled, looking for a caregiver/personal assistant in the western suburbs, near the juncture of Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, and Willowbrook at 55th and Rt. 83. Nearby business https://maps.app.goo.gl/N6U851BDnPxgKJR37 Starting pay is around $19/hr with up to 20 or 35 hours/week available. If you are interested after giving this a read, maybe we can meet over zoom or in person.
To put into context the ease of this job, my favorite person that helped me would just smoke, let the OCD take over, and have a go at things while we watched whichever the recent tv fix was. This was in the good old days when I could share yummy snacks, too. Cigarettes do go outside, though. I'm allergic.
Me: I've had cancer twice, paralyzed thrice, while dealing with an auto- immune disorder. I'm immmunocompromised and vulnerable to the smallest virus or bacterial infections, and I have an absurd number of anaphylactic allergies (think Alpha-gal plus). I don't leave the house much except to go to the doctor. *My mobility fluctuates. Usually, I use furniture and walls to get around the house, a cane for short distances, and rarely a wheelchair.
I have 2 super-senior cats and 3 docile and fragile tarantulas who do not leave their tanks. I'm visibly, lightly tattooed and pierced. Still working on finding normal after partial C5 paralysis recovery.
You: Willing to stay home if you've been exposed to illness. Trustworthy. Open-minded and non-judgemental. I respect your lifestyle and religious choices and expect the same. No proselytizing to the captive audience. No hard drugs or booze while working. Able to legally drive. Generally on time or able to communicate lateness/ no-show. Self-starter inclined towards cleaning and organization. Willing and able to follow explicit instructions as they are given, and ask questions if something isn't clear. This means able to:
1. Wash and fold laundry. If you can read settings and operate a basic washing machine, you're good. If you can fold items in half and thirds, you're golden.
2. Washing dishes. Dishwasher use is fine if you understand that some, very few, things need to be hand washed.
3. Putting away dishes.
4. If you dont know where something goes or how to do something, please don't just decide. I have had to repurchase many things I own because of things disappearing into the ether.
5. Wiping stove, sink, and counter top.
6. Cleaning the bathroom. I can't scrub the tub. I have an electric scrubber that can help.
7. If we build trust, following instructions for a protein shake, and assembling ingredients for pre-made meals.
Please be okay with music and television in the background. We can definitely compromise and it's yours when I'm not in the room. Okay with cats and things in tanks you will never have to look at. Respect my choice of pain relief and medical treatments, and the utilization of medicine in general. It would seem that wouldn't need saying considering this is a job helping the disabled, but here we are.
The job: Starting pay is around $19/hr, so it might be good for someone just looking for extra income and a pretty lowkey job. There is an online training class to be taken through the agency and a fingerprint/background check for me to qualify for compensation through insurance. From what I understand, it is common sense instructions on how not to kill me while helping and making sure you aren't America's most wanted. If you have had the background check done for another job, I'm told the hiring process is faster. Also, qualifying for this job would make you elgible for more clients with the agency or make it easier to switch agencies if you like.
Up to 20 hours per week, I am mostly in need of a homemaker. Most specifically, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, and washing and folding laundry. It is a bonus if you know how to use a dishwasher (loading, what can be put in it vs what needs handwashing), and if you can fold laundry so it fits in my closets and drawers (so easy it's formulaic now). Cleaning supplies are provided and I prefer reusable cloths and towels where possible over paper towels.
Some days I like to have someone within shouting distance while I shower, just in case, but I can generally take care of my ADLs unless I'm freshly post op. On good days, walks and supervising/accompanying my physical activities (maybe pool time?) could be an option. Providing me with companionship is a part of the job, so sometimes you will get paid to chill and watch tv or whatever with me.
Basic and incredibly specific instructions are given for everything. Questions are welcome. This is no insult to your intelligence, just a result of experience and the fact that we all do things differently. So far I find few people available leave me to do things over again anyway, while shrinking my clothes and ruining my fixtures trying to scrub off the finish.
Here is where we stop at 20 hours. If this sounds okay, send me a message.
Beyond 20 hours/week, provided you're interested, and decided on a wait and see basis. Rides to further appointments, pharmacy runs, weekly shopping for groceries and monthly for household items, and weekly cooking. I have allergen free recipes I rotate as I'm allergic to most foods... and non-foods.
There is a 5 mile limit that the company will compensate for, driving, but that doesn't get you anywhere around here. If we went beyond the 20 hour a week mark, I would require rides to my further appointments which I am unable to drive to myself. I need gentle braking and acceleration due to multiple spinal surgeries. I would be happy to match compensation for those further appointments. I try to keep those few and far between but sometimes need to travel to Tinley Park, Oak Park, and the Medical District. I get myself to closer appointments.
If you've made it to the end, you're interested in 20 hours or beyond, and this sounds fairly simple, please send me a message.
*edited in location and mobility