In-Home Caretaker

In-Home Caretaker

This In-Home caretaker position is referred to as a Participant-Hired Worker hired through IRIS.

The mission of the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program in Wisconsin is to help people with disabilities and older adults make decisions about their own care. The program's goal is to help participants lead meaningful lives.

Program goals

• Allow participants to make decisions about their lives
• Help participants learn to advocate for themselves
• Help participants use their Medicaid funds responsibly
• Help participants choose and manage their services

If hired, the person you provide care for will be your legal employer on record. The person needing care has the sole authority to hire or dismiss any potential caretaker.

ABOUT THE JOB

Requirement

• Have a Driver’s License and own a vehicle

Must-Have Requirements

• Learn how to administer a Glucagon Injection in the case of an emergency situation
• Assist with some household duties that extend to the participant’s spouse, referring to laundry and dishes. Laundry and dishes are more often grouped together, and this is the participant's preference.

Candidates should apply ONLY if they meet these requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide water and coffee throughout each shift to the participant
• Monitor the participant’s blood glucose using an app on a provided phone
• Ensure that medications are taken at designated times
• Determine what prepared food is appropriate for the participant's diet
• Count carbohydrates for each of the participant’s meals
• Check in and have a discussion with the participant about taking insulin before or after a meal
• Provide apple juice or food-carbohydrates when blood glucose readings fall too quickly or too low
• Complete house-keeping tasks including vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, bleaching toilets and sinks, shampooing carpets, washing laundry and dishes
• Use an appropriate and safe bleach/water mixture to clean the bathrooms

Benefits

• Mileage Reimbursements available
• Flexible Schedule
• Opportunity for an increase in hours within a year, potential to become a full time position

Preferable Qualities

• Spend quality time with the participant
• Refrain from discussing political and religious ideologies with the participant
• Get along with animals — The participant has 4 chihuahuas
• Personable and empathetic
• Good listener

About the Participant

The participant is a senior, and a Type 1 Diabetic who experiences neuropathy of the feet, blood pressure irregularities, neurocardiogenic syncope (lightheadedness, dizziness), and gout.

The participant can make decisions about blood glucose readings independently. However, the participant is seeking a caretaker who can become familiar with monitoring blood glucose readings to assist in keeping the participant’s blood glucose steady. A device will be provided for the caretaker to access the Dexcom G6 app where the participant’s blood glucose readings are updated every five minutes.

The participant experiences short-term memory loss often and is seeking a caretaker who can ensure the participant takes medication on time. The participant is also seeking a caretaker who can check in or have a discussion with the participant about whether insulin is needed in situations including before/after a meal, as well as when the blood glucose reading is rising too high.

Regarding food and diet, the participant eats a consistent, low-fats diet to control blood glucose patterns and blood pressure. Because of this, there are prepared meal options in the fridge. The participant is seeking a caretaker who can learn to determine which foods are safe and appropriate for consumption, as some of the foods in the fridge are inappropriate and dangerous for the participant.

How to Apply

Please include a cover letter in your application that describes your prior knowledge regarding either in-home care or Type 1 Diabetes. If these experiences do not apply to you, please explain why you are a good fit for the participant-hired worker/caretaker position. Within the cover letter, include the phrase “blood glucose” to show that you have read through the job description thoroughly.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.83 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid training
• Safety equipment provided

Schedule:

• Day shift

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Avoca, WI 53506 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19