Personal Support Worker

Quilt, Inc.; Stratford; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Quilt, Inc. is seeking a Personal Support Worker to assist an 80-year-old woman in Stratford, ON. The role focuses on companionship, emotional support during anxiety, and monitoring for seizure-related symptoms in a compassionate, patient manner.

Responsibilities include light meal prep, housekeeping, hydration and nutrition support, and coordination with the client’s care network. The caregiver should be trained in GPA or similar mental-health support and comfortable with variable mood states.

Qualifications

• PSW certification or equivalent provincial accreditation.
• Experience supporting individuals with anxiety, epilepsy, or highly sensitive personalities.
• GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approach) training is a strong asset.
• Calm, patient demeanor with excellent emotional regulation skills.
• Ability to recognize subtle changes in mood or physical condition.
• Strong initiative and judgment in determining appropriate responses to various situations.
• Reliable, consistent, and excellent communication skills.
• Understanding of neurodivergent individuals and trauma-informed care approaches preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide companionship and emotional support to help with self-regulation during periods of anxiety or stress.
• Light meal preparation including reheating meals and providing gentle reminders.
• Assist with housekeeping tasks including cleaning and laundry.
• Monitor for signs of distress, anxiety, or post-seizure symptoms and provide appropriate comfort and care.
• Recognize when medical attention may be needed (such as distinguishing between anxiety symptoms and potential UTI).
• Ensure adequate hydration and nutrition, especially during recovery periods.
• Maintain a calm, nurturing presence that respects her sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights.

Skills

PSW certification

Anxiety/epilepsy support

GPA training

Calm demeanor

Mood change recognition

Initiative & judgment

Communication skills

Neurodivergent/trauma-informed care

Job description

Personal Support Worker - Stratford, ON - CAD$81.00/week

Description

About the Client:

We're seeking a compassionate caregiver for an 80-year-old woman living independently in Stratford, Ontario. She is physically well, mobile, and handles most daily activities on her own. However, she experiences epilepsy with occasional nocturnal seizures, anxiety, and sleep disturbances that are interconnected with her mental and emotional health. She is a highly sensitive person who thrives with gentle, consistent support and benefits greatly from calming activities like time in nature and near animals. She does not have dementia or significant memory challenges, but stress and anxiety can sometimes present symptoms that require careful observation and appropriate response.

Responsibilities:

• Provide companionship and emotional support to help with self-regulation during periods of anxiety or stress
• Light meal preparation including reheating meals and providing gentle reminders
• Assist with housekeeping tasks including cleaning and laundry
• Monitor for signs of distress, anxiety, or post-seizure symptoms and provide appropriate comfort and care
• Recognize when medical attention may be needed (such as distinguishing between anxiety symptoms and potential UTI)
• Ensure adequate hydration and nutrition, especially during recovery periods
• Maintain a calm, nurturing presence that respects her sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights
• Coordinate with existing care network including recreational therapist and other support providers

What We're Looking For:

• PSW certification or equivalent provincial accreditation
• Experience supporting individuals with anxiety, epilepsy, or highly sensitive personalities
• GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approach) training is a strong asset
• Calm, patient demeanor with excellent emotional regulation skills
• Ability to recognize subtle changes in mood or physical condition
• Strong initiative and judgment in determining appropriate responses to various situations
• Reliable, consistent, and excellent communication skills
• Understanding of neurodivergent individuals and trauma-informed care approaches preferred

Schedule:

Saturday 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM weekly, with potential to expand hours as needs evolve. Consistency is essential to build trust and maintain routine.

Pay & Hours

CAD$27.00/hr

Hourly rate

CAD$81.00/week

Per week

Estimated Earnings Based On 1 day(s)/week

Required Days

Saturday 12:00pm-3:00pm

Within 1 week

Location

Stratford, ON

Care needs

• Companionship
• Meal prep

Requirements

• License/Certification
• Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Required languages

Considerations

• Experience with dementia/Alzheimer's
• Flexible with schedule changes

Additional Considerations

Caregiver must have experience supporting highly sensitive individuals with emotional regulation. Client's mother has epilepsy with nocturnal seizures, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Mental, physical, and emotional health are interconnected - stress and anxiety can trigger seizures, which can lead to UTI susceptibility and delirium-like symptoms. Caregiver should understand when to seek medical attention versus when emotional support is needed. GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approach) training or similar experience with mental health support is highly preferred. Must be comfortable with unpredictable mood states and know how to help client calm down and self-regulate. Post-seizure care includes ensuring rest, hydration, nutritious meals, and reducing stress by taking over household tasks. Client is physically mobile and independent but needs consistent check-ins as part of a care network to prevent isolation and crisis situations.