In Home Care - DaySpring

DaySpring In-Home Care & Life Enrichment Services

Reports To: In-Home Care Coordinator
Work Schedule: Varied based on client and case assignments

Company Overview

DaySpring is a Christian, faith-based organization committed to serving older adults with God’s love. Our mission, values, and Christian philosophy of care guide how we operate, support our employees, and provide compassionate, client-centered services.

Team members are expected to perform their responsibilities in alignment with DaySpring’s mission, values, policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.

Position Summary

The Personal Care Assistant is an essential member of the DaySpring In-Home Care & Life Enrichment Services team. This position partners with clients to provide previously agreed-upon services identified in each client’s individualized Life Plan of Care.

Depending on the client and case assignment, services may include:

• Personal care

• Medication reminders

• Restorative-care assistance, including range-of-motion activities

• Planned and spontaneous Life Enrichment activities

• Companionship visits

• Light housekeeping

• Respite care

• Meal preparation and assistance

• Transportation to prearranged appointments or events on a case-by-case basis

Services are delivered through DaySpring’s individualized “quality-of-the-moment” approach. This philosophy is based on meaningful elements of everyday life, including socialization with others, joy in accomplishment, and opportunities to share God’s tender mercy.

The Personal Care Assistant remains aware of and responsive to each client’s changing needs, abilities, feelings, preferences, and comfort while encouraging as much independence as possible.

Essential Responsibilities

Personal Care and Daily Living Support

• Assist clients with dressing, grooming, personal hygiene, bathing, eating, and toileting.

• Recognize each client’s ability to complete individual steps independently.

• Gently encourage clients to complete the portions of a task they can perform safely and provide assistance with the remaining steps.

• Assist clients with restorative-care activities, including range-of-motion exercises, when included in the Life Plan of Care.

• Respond promptly and compassionately to client needs.

• Provide respite care and companionship according to the assigned service plan.

• Provide transportation to prearranged appointments or events when authorized as part of the case assignment.

Meals and Nutrition Support

• Prepare and serve meals according to the client’s assigned services and needs.

• Assist clients with eating as needed.

• Prepare, serve, or assist clients with preparing light snacks.

• Prepare or assist with breakfast, lunch, or dinner as identified in the client’s Life Plan of Care.

Life Enrichment and Companionship

• Provide and lead planned activities within a structured, calm environment.

• Offer appropriate spontaneous Life Enrichment activities and meaningful experiences.

• Encourage socialization, participation, personal accomplishment, and companionship.

• Tailor activities and interactions to the client’s current needs, abilities, interests, feelings, and comfort.

• Participate in the development and implementation of the client’s individualized Life Plan of Care.

Health Observation and Medication Reminders

• Observe clients for changes in health status, behavior, abilities, or emotional well-being.

• Promptly report changes or concerns to the designated nurse, supervisor, or In-Home Care Coordinator.

• Provide medication reminders correctly and according to the client’s Life Plan of Care and established procedures.

• Follow standard precautions and infection-control procedures.

• Respond appropriately during emergency situations and promptly notify the appropriate individuals.

Housekeeping and Home Support

• Perform assigned light-housekeeping duties, including cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and returning misplaced items to their appropriate locations.

• Help maintain a clean, safe, comfortable, and organized environment.

• Use client and company supplies and equipment responsibly and economically.

• Complete only those household duties authorized within the client’s assigned service plan.

Documentation and Client Rights

• Maintain client rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.

• Complete all documentation requirements assigned by the designated nurse, supervisor, or In-Home Care Coordinator.

• Document services and observations accurately, completely, and promptly.

• Follow all policies and procedures established by DaySpring In-Home Care & Life Enrichment Services.

• Communicate relevant client information to authorized members of the care team.

Teamwork, Training, and Professional Conduct

• Work consistently and cooperatively with clients, families, other care-team members, supervisors, consultants, and ancillary service providers under a variety of conditions and circumstances.

• Participate actively in orientation and required training sessions.

• Accept accountability for understanding and applying the information provided during orientation and training.

• Ask questions and request clarification whenever instructions, expectations, or procedures are not completely clear or understood.

• Promote and contribute new ideas related to client care and service delivery.

• Accept appropriate changes readily and maintain a positive attitude.

• Volunteer for and participate in continuous quality-improvement projects that support DaySpring’s partnering philosophy.

• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Be in good physical health and capable of meeting the physical demands associated with assigned clients and services.

• Have a genuine desire to work closely with older adults.

• Be capable of responding appropriately during emergency situations.

• Demonstrate sensitivity, empathy, and a sincere interest in supporting frail and memory-impaired individuals.

• Be reliable, flexible, patient, caring, and able to maintain an appropriate sense of humor.

• Be able to manage the mental and emotional stresses associated with supporting individuals experiencing memory impairment.

• Be able to understand and follow each client’s individualized Life Plan of Care.

• Be able to work independently while maintaining appropriate communication with the In-Home Care Coordinator and other authorized members of the care team.

• Be able to adapt to varied client needs, home environments, schedules, and case assignments.

Previous experience working with older adults, frail individuals, clients experiencing memory impairment, or in an in-home-care environment is preferred.

Working Conditions

• Work hours and locations vary based on client and case assignments.

• Employees must comply with established dress-code requirements.

• Physical demands vary according to the needs of each assignment and client.

• The position may require assistance with personal care, mobility, household tasks, restorative-care activities, and other authorized services.

• Employees may be exposed to inappropriate behaviors or combativeness from clients.

• Employees work within clients’ homes and may encounter different home environments and conditions.

• All work assignments are smoke-free.

• DaySpring provides a supportive environment with leadership that seeks to partner with employees and help them successfully fulfill their responsibilities.

Other Duties and Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of every duty, responsibility, activity, or qualification associated with the role.

Specific responsibilities may vary according to the client’s individualized Life Plan of Care and authorized case assignment. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties consistent with the nature and level of the position.

DaySpring reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties and responsibilities as organizational or client needs require. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.