Companion Aide

• Home Care Companions provide service to individuals in their own homes and communities who need assistance caring for themselves because of old age, sickness, disability and/or other inflictions. Home care may include light housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, respite and advice on such things as nutrition, cleanliness and household activities.

• Home Care Companions are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant Agency policies and industry standards.

Reporting Relationship

1. Reports to Supervisor

Responsibilities/Activities:

• Provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.

• Talk, listen, share experiences, play games/cards, read to client etc. 

• Help keep clients in contact with family, friends and the outside world. 

• Provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery store and errands. 

• Accompany clients to recreational and/or social events.

• Assist with plans for visits and outings.

• Write or type letters/correspondence.

• Organize and read mail.

• Plan trips and outings and possibly travel with clients.

• Teach/perform meal planning and preparation. 

• Perform light housekeeping.

• Participate on the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.

• Ensure service is delivered in accordance with Agency policies, procedures and industry standards. 

• Monitor supplies and resources.

• Evaluate the program and make recommendations, as indicated.

• Follow the written care plan.

• Assist in basic client transfers providing the client has been assessed as being capable of ambulating without assistance; and/or, providing another trained caregiver (including family) is involved in the transfer.

• Carry out duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

• Observe the client’s functioning and report to Supervisor.

• Complete and maintain records of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.

• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.

• Make decisions and solve problems.

• Assist with pet care.

• Communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.

• Attend orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of home management skills.

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.

• Knowledge of the English language.

• Knowledge of information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first aid and CPR.

• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to be aware of other people’s reactions and understand why they react as they do.

• Ability to establishing and maintain relationships.

• Ability to teach others.

• Ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.

• Ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.

• Ability to understand written and oral instructions.

• Ability to communicate information orally and in writing.  

• Ability to listen and understand the spoken word. 

• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.

• Ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.

• Ability to suggest ideas on a subject. 

• Ability to provide advice and consultation to others.

• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.

• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Good physical and mental health.

• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see. 

• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.

• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/Education

• Current driver’s license.

• Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.

Training/Experience:

• May require related experience.

• May required similar social and cultural backgrounds with some clients.