Personal Assistant Required – Cramlington, Northumberland
Supporting a Gentleman Living with Alzheimer’s Disease
I am looking for a kind, compassionate, experienced and reliable Personal Assistant to help care for my husband, David, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease and becoming increasingly physically frail.
David lives with me in our family home in Cramlington, where I am his main carer. I am looking for someone who can provide consistent, high-quality, person-centred support, helping David maintain his dignity, independence and quality of life.
Duties and Responsibilities
The role will involve supporting David with his everyday care needs, including:
- Assistance with personal care, washing, dressing and continence needs.
- Support with mobility and safe moving and handling, in accordance with his assessed needs.
- Preparing meals and encouraging adequate nutrition and hydration.
- Providing companionship, reassurance and meaningful activities.
- Supporting familiar routines and promoting independence wherever possible.
- Recognising and reporting changes in David’s health, mobility, behaviour or general wellbeing.
- Providing calm and sensitive support during periods of confusion, anxiety or distress.
- Working respectfully alongside me as David’s wife and main carer.
As David’s needs are changing, I am particularly keen to find someone who is observant, adaptable and confident in recognising when additional support or medical attention may be required.
Experience and Skills Required
Previous experience of caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is highly desirable.
I am particularly interested in applicants who have a sound understanding of:
- Dementia care and person-centred approaches.
- The Mental Capacity Act 2005, including consent, capacity, best-interest decisions and respecting individual choices.
- Supporting people with increasing physical frailty and reduced mobility.
- Personal care, continence support and maintaining dignity.
- Safe moving and handling.
- Adult safeguarding and recognising concerns about abuse or neglect.
- Recognising changes in health and responding appropriately.
- Communicating effectively with individuals who may have memory or cognitive difficulties.
Relevant training and qualifications are desirable, and applicants should be willing to undertake further training where necessary.
Personal Qualities
I am looking for someone who is naturally caring, patient, trustworthy and dependable.
It is important that the successful applicant understands that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s involves much more than completing daily tasks.
I want David to feel safe, comfortable, respected and valued.
The right person will be able to build a trusting relationship with David, work professionally within our family home and understand the importance of consistency and continuity of care.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please submit an up-to-date CV detailing your employment history, relevant care experience, qualifications and training, together with answers to the following questions.
A Little About David
David is a gentleman who enjoys a calm, familiar and relaxed home environment.
He previously served in the Royal Air Force and enjoys watching BBC News, following football and listening to music from the 1960s.
During warmer weather, he enjoys getting outdoors in his wheelchair.
Although Alzheimer’s has affected his memory and independence, David remains an individual with his own personality, preferences and choices. It is extremely important to me that anyone supporting him recognises this and takes time to get to know him.