Personal Support Worker

CareQuilt; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Quilt, Inc. seeks a compassionate PSW caregiver for an elderly woman living independently in Hamilton who has early-stage Alzheimer's. Responsibilities include medication organization, light housekeeping, meal prep, grocery outings, personal care, companionship, and wellbeing monitoring.

Client smokes in the basement and has a cat; caregiver must be patient, reliable, and comfortable with pets. Morning shifts required; schedule is three 2-hour visits weekly, totaling about 6 hours.

Qualifications

• PSW certification is required.
• Comfortable in a smoking environment.
• Patient and understanding with dementia.
• Reliable, punctual, and consistent.
• Able to work early morning shifts when needed.

Responsibilities

• Medication management: organize weekly medications from blister packs into a dosette box.
• Light housekeeping: basic tidying and cat litter box care.
• Meal preparation: prepare simple meals that can be refrigerated.
• Grocery shopping: accompany client to nearby store for light groceries.
• Personal care: assist with grooming and hair washing.
• Companionship and socialization: provide conversation and company.
• Waste management: take garbage and recycling to curb on collection day.
• Winter maintenance: clear small walkway and stairs of snow when needed.
• Monitor wellbeing and report concerns.

Skills

PSW certification

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

Driver's license

Job description

Description

About the Client:

We're seeking a compassionate caregiver for an elderly woman living independently in Hamilton with early-stage Alzheimer's/dementia. She lives alone with her cat in a small wartime home and is still quite functional but requires support with specific tasks and companionship. Her husband recently passed away in August, and she's adjusting to living alone. She can be resistant to change and new people initially but warms up once trust is established. She smokes in the basement, sleeps in a recliner rather than her bed, and has some unsteadiness when walking without support, though she manages stairs well with railings. The home has a small front walkway (10-12 feet) and three stairs to the street.

Responsibilities:

• Medication management: Help organize weekly medications from blister packs into her dosette box
• Light housekeeping: Basic tidying, checking/cleaning cat litter box daily
• Meal preparation: Prepare simple meals and sandwiches that can be refrigerated for upcoming days
• Grocery shopping: Accompany client to nearby Metro store (just a few blocks away) for light grocery runs
• Personal care: Assist with grooming, hair washing/blow drying to ensure regular bathing
• Companionship and socialization: Spend quality time in conversation
• Waste management: Take garbage and recycling to curb on collection day
• Winter maintenance: Clear small front walkway and three stairs of snow when needed
• Monitor overall wellbeing and report any concerns

What We're Looking For:

• PSW certification required
• Comfortable in a smoking environment (client smokes in basement)
• Not allergic to cats or dogs (family dog visits regularly)
• Patient and understanding with dementia/Alzheimer's clients
• Reliable, punctual, and consistent
• Able to work early morning shifts when needed
• Valid driver's license and vehicle for occasional outings
• Experience with clients who may be initially resistant to care

Schedule:

Three days per week: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, with 2-hour visits (6 hours weekly total). Thursday visits need to start early (7:00-8:00 AM) for garbage collection. Morning times preferred as client has disrupted sleep patterns and is typically up from 1:30 AM. Family members will be present for initial trial visits.

Pay & Hours

CAD$27.00/hr

CAD$27.00/hr

Hourly rate

CAD$162.00/week

CAD$162.00/week

Per week

Estimated Earnings Based on 3 day(s)/week

Required Days

Monday 8:00am-10:00am

Thursday 7:00am-9:00am

Saturday 8:00am-10:00am

Immediately

Location

Care needs

Companionship

Medication reminders

Meal prep

Transportation

Shopping assistance

Personal care

Requirements

License/Certification

Personal Support Worker (PSW)

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

Required languages

Considerations

Comfortable working around pets

Comfortable with stairs

Non-smoking household preferred

Experience with dementia/Alzheimer's

Flexible with schedule changes

Additional Considerations

Client smokes in basement - caregiver must be tolerant of tobacco odor. Must be comfortable with cats and visiting dogs. Client has early-stage Alzheimer's/dementia and may initially resist care but typically warms up with consistency. Clear communication essential as client has difficulty understanding accents or unclear speech. Client is small in stature, walks with slight lean to one side, requires support when walking outdoors but manages stairs independently with railings. Does not sleep in bed since husband's passing, sleeps in recliner. Gets up around 1:30 AM most nights. Snow removal needed for front walkway (approximately 10-12 feet) and three stairs during winter months.