A Typical Day

A typical Day Shift from 7am-5pm normally consists of:

  • giving me a hand with getting up in the morning
  • assisting with me shower time, getting dressed, having breakfast and any other morning routine activity I take part in
  • after I am ready for the day, I will get set up to work independently in my home – during this time you are nearby, in earshot, alert for when I need you. You may be completing job duty tasks such as:
    • light housework
    • online orders for me
    • preparing simple meals
    • cat care
    • working on a project I have assigned to you
  • if I have an appointment outside of the house, you will assist me into and out of my van, drive me to and from the appointment and be nearby at all times
  • I will need assistance with using the toilet and eating throughout the day

A typical Evening Shift from 5pm to 12am consists of:

  • assisting me with dinner
  • being in earshot while I work independently
  • completing any leftover/incomplete job duties
  • assisting me with a snack before bed
  • giving me a hand with changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, getting ready for bed and getting into bed

A typical Overnight Shift from 12am to 7am consists of:

  • letting me know you have arrived, checking in to see if I need anything else
  • sleeping in my home, waking up only if I need you for an emergency

Shift Structure

  1. Arrive 5 minutes early
  2. Change into your scrubs, put your personal items into the on-duty staff bin, put your food and/or non-alcoholic drink in the refrigerator
  3. Check in using the time clock system at the start of your shift
  4. Find me to let me know that you are there and briefly check in with me to see if I need anything (unless it is the morning shift and I am in bed, in this case, wait for me to call you)
    • At the shift change check in:
      • If the previous shift staff member is in the middle of assisting me, take over if possible so they can clock out on time
      • I will let you know if I need something done right away
      • If I don’t have something for you right away, let me know your general plan for the next hour or so
      • If you will be out of earshot, you will have to set up the monitor first
  5. After our check in and completing any high priority tasks I may need, it will be time to start completing the shift chore checklist. The following chores should be tended to for about an hour. You will be provided with a clipboard that refers to the following chores:
    • tending to and cleaning out the cat litter boxes
    • wiping down surfaces
    • dusting
    • sweeping, mopping and vacuuming floors
    • putting my personal items back in their designated place
    • doing laundry
    • washing sheets
    • folding towels
    • blending food
    • making the bed
    • cleaning the microwave and refrigerator
      • Please try to complete any chores that you started during your shift
      • If you are unable to complete a chore during your shift, please let the next person know so they can pick up where you left off
      • Please remember to stay alert and in earshot, I may need you for something while you are in the middle of a chore
  6. After about an hour of chores have been completed, and I don’t imminently need anything, you may settle down with a quiet non-device related activity. This could be: reading a physical book, knitting, drawing, playing with the cats, playing a card game, or studying from physical textbooks.
    • settling down with this activity ideally should be far enough from me so that I have my privacy to work, but close enough that you can hear me when I call you – if you will be out of earshot, please remember to set up the monitor
    • the expectations for the down time on the job are that you still remain alert, professional and awake
    • please continue to do the reoccurring shift chores as needed (ex: dishes after I eat)
  7. At the end of your shift you are expected to:
    • do a general tidy
    • inform the incoming staff of any tasks that need to be completed
    • change out of your scrubs
    • let me know that you are leaving and when you will be working next
    • check out on the time clock