A male or female personal assistant is required for an affable 64 year old man – he seems much younger – who is easy to get on with and who is good company, has good conversation and a pleasant character. The employer suffers from a rare genetic disorder (a sort of mild version of Downs Syndrome) but one that does have a real impact on his ability to organise and structure his life independently. However, many people would not recognise immediately that the employer has any disability. Because it is very rare, there are no established techniques for dealing with this type of disability. The previous carer has accepted another job offer.
Availability and Pay
The candidate would work with him for 6.25 hours a week. The work is paid at a rate of £15 an hour. Availability during weekdays is desirable but the employer is also available on Saturdays and Sundays if that suits. Precise times can be arranged and there is considerable flexibility. For 6-8 months of the year, the employer is only available in the afternoons. The ideal time would be after 2.p.m. The other four to six months of the year, he will be available every morning except Monday and Thursday.
Previous arrangements have been two sessions of 3.12 hours every week but, particularly for someone close to the Marchmont/ Sciennes area, this could also be, for example, 4 sessions of 1.5 hours. There is considerable room for flexibility in these arrangements as long as meetings are in the afternoons.
Nature of the Job
The work is really that of a personal assistant (rather than just a companion). As the employer has moved into a new flat (September 2024), he requires strategies for independent living. This entails someone who will actively:
* ensure that the employer maintains appointments and follows up on engagements. He needs to implement medical advice, not forget to pick up his prescriptions and continue to take his medicines as prescribed. This will require logging appointments and prescriptions and following up on them.
* in addition to making sure that he is keeping himself clean, offer assistance with personal hygiene and keeping his room tidy and clutter free. This will mean checking for cleanliness and tidiness. He does not require assistance with washing or with dressing but would benefit from strategies for, for example, managing his clothes.
* be attentive to mood swings (and occasional depression). The employer would definitely benefit from someone that is sensitive and a good listener and who has strategies for keeping the employer occupied, outwards looking and focussed on the projects that he has already successfully started. These are principally photography and volunteering with an NGO that caters for people recovering from addiction issues. Anything related to travel – principally, cars, planes … and barges – is of interest to him. Another possible avenue, for instance, would be a car maintenance course.
* encourage activities that will lead to finding like minded people as friends. The employer has quite an active programme of volunteering but it would also be good to try and get him involved in activities that would mean that he found someone that he could undertake activities with including holidays. Some sort of evening activity might be fruitful.
* provide him with techniques and useful tips for living a healthier life. The employer could do with losing a few pounds in weight, opting for reasonable portion sizes when eating and developing a healthier diet. He enjoys going for walks but being a bit more self-motivated about developing a daily exercise regime would also be beneficial as would encouragement to give up smoking.
To apply please obtain an application form for Job Ref IH SS. This can be downloaded from the recruitment section of
Alternatively apply with a CV and cover letter by emailing pajobs@lothiancil.org.uk and quoting Job Ref IH SS.