Support Broker Services LLC
In Home Care Worker
Madison, Wisconsin•Part-time
$16.32 - $25 hourly
$16.32 - $25 hourly
About the Job
Companion Care / Respite Care Provider
Madison, WI | Part-Time | $16.32–$25.00/hour, based on experience.
About This Opportunity:
A creative, warm-hearted woman is seeking a Companion Care/Respite Care Provider to spend meaningful time with her each week. Now retired, she spent her career in state government, non-profits, and politics focused on equality. She’s also a lifelong artist, an avid reader, a Harvard graduate, and — even now — a genuinely curious, welcoming person who enjoys a good conversation and a good laugh.
She’s mellow, respectful, and easy to be around, though she sometimes needs a little gentle persuasion to get moving on to an activity. She listens well, connects ideas across topics, and can discuss art, politics, gardening, and other topics in depth; though she sometimes can’t remember that she just shampooed her hair. She enjoys the role of consultant and teacher as they are skills required in her previous positions as an administrator. Once she knows you, expect the occasional snarky joke.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys verbal, intellectually engaged companionship alongside hands-on care — someone comfortable holding a conversation about abstract art one moment and gently redirecting the next.
Who We’re Looking For:
The ideal candidate:
- Has training and experience working with individuals living with dementia.
- Understands how to communicate effectively with people experiencing dementia and its variations.
- Is fluent, articulate, and enjoys thoughtful, higher-level conversation.
- Is perceptive of subtle changes in mood or energy, patient, and respectful of boundaries.
- Has a natural warmth and a good sense of humor,
- Is flexible and adapts easily to changing needs, routines, and person’s responses. Maintains a calm demeanor when the situation or person requires an unexpected pivot and change in priorities.
- Understands how to foster independence while providing appropriate support.
- Brings ease, curiosity, and a bit of playfulness to everyday moments.
- Good attention to detail: arrives and leaves on time, organizes shift time well so all required and optional daily tasks are completed, completes daily activity and food log, communicates relevant details accurately and promptly to the family member who manages her care.
- Works well as a positive and open-minded team with the family member who manages her care. Communicate and respond promptly and clearly to texts or emails. Be creative in problem-solving. Note or anticipate issues and possible solutions, ask questions, give feedback, if unsure about something, ask for suggestions on approaches to care or activity ideas.
- Be responsible and dependable. You, and 1-2 others are the only support people for a family member who manages all aspects of this person’s life and provides 24/7 care for her, while working at her professional job from home. Request time off in advance. Don’t cancel last minute unless it is a true emergency or illness.
- Follow standard precautions for health care workers. Inform point of contact asap of illness. Do not come to work when ill and communicable - discuss with point of contact.
A Day in This Role:
Each shift blends required tasks with activities you and she plan together. You’ll get to know her eclectic interests —art, writing and editing, systems and social change, politics, feminism, gardening and more — and bring your own interests into the mix too.
Required tasks each shift:
- A half-hour walk around the block.
- Physical therapy stretches and exercises that you lead.
- Time she reads aloud to you.
- Light meal and snack preparation, prompting her to drink water and eat as needed.
- Light cleaning.
- Personal cares as needed.
- Complete “daily log” and “food log”.
Woven throughout shifts:
- Conversation about her life and yours, shared interests, and new ideas.
- Virtual museum tours and researching future art activities or outings together: art shows, galleries, exhibits, the library, flower gardens, garden shows, parks.
- Art-making — draw with markers or paint with watercolors with subjects you both choose; she enjoys teaching drawing or watercolor techniques. Suggest art-making projects that you’d like to do with her.
- She helps you with written or spoken English, if useful or fun for you. English, writing, and editing is FUN for her. She has limitations with this due to her dementia but still enjoys it. She helped one provider think about, play with language, and wrote ideas, sentences and paragraphs to help the person edit applications to grad school.
- Baking – usually from “healthier” box mixes.
- Errands such as grocery shopping or getting a haircut.
- You’ll use your own vehicle for community outings (mileage reimbursed).
Schedule:
- Part-time: 2 to 18.5 hours per week, with potential to increase hours over time.
- Shift window: Noon to 6:00 PM, 7 days a week Monday through Sunday .
- Typical shift length: 4 hours (e.g., 1:00–5:00, noon–4:00, 12:30–4:30).
- Minimum shift: 2 hours.
- Occasional requests to sub for other providers or work a longer shift — always optional, never required.
- The goal is a regular weekly schedule as part of a small, consistent team of providers. The family works hard to accommodate your availability, understanding that flexibility goes both ways in a part-time role.
Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older, with a high school diploma or GED.
- At least 1 year of experience working with people with dementia. Formal education and training about dementia caregiving preferred. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or other related credentials preferred.
- Verifiable provider references (professional and personal).
- Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, comprehensive auto insurance, and a clean driving record. Enough space in your vehicle or trunk to fit a collapsible walker for some outings.
- Willingness to complete a background check.
Why This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to build a genuine relationship with someone who has lived a rich, purpose-driven life — someone who still delights in art, ideas, and good company. If you’re looking for meaningful, one-on-one companion care where your intellect and warmth are equally valued, we’d love to hear from you.