Care Assistant for person P/T @ £12 in St Pauls - Bristol - BS2

Disabled woman in late thirties, living in St Pauls with friendly medium sized senior dog - currently looking for PA on part time *DAY shift hours. 

Information about my client: 

I am a passionately left wing person who cares deeply for the environment & fairness for all. I really benefit from a calm & gentle environment. I love my dog, music & creativity, good food, holistic therapies & creative clothing. My confidence has been greatly affected from being unable to get out of the house much & losing involvement in the activities & networks I was previously involved with; so I would appreciate the company of somebody who can be compassionate to this & patient in supporting me to find ways to safely re-integrate things i enjoy, but are suitable to my current needs, back into my life. 
For instance I used to love; being at events, DJing, singing & performing, dancing, long walks in nature, foraging, riding my bike, yoga & various forms of exercise & creative activities. 
I significantly benefit from & would appreciate companionship with getting time to be in & connecting with nature & breathing fresh air away from the pollution surrounding my flat.

I have multiple complex needs concerning my physical and mental health that have been exacerbated by the effects of long covid - 
Some of the health issues I struggle with are ME/CFS, POTS, hypermobility, heart condition, asthma, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis & Fibroids, so I am affected by fatigue, weakness, dizziness & chronic pain (including joint pain) that can impact my mobility, heart symptoms and digestive issues. I am also Autistic with ADHD & am impacted by CPTSD, PMDD, Anxiety and Depression. 
My condition can fluctuate & I use various mobility aids accordingly - walking stick most days, rollator (wheeled walking frame), and have an NHS issued basic wheelchair that I am not able to propel myself any distance - so would need assistance at times I require to use this. Am in process of trying to get funding for power attachment & modifications so can be more independent with wheelchair. 
I would require an individual who would feel confident to sometimes support in me deciding what mobility aid I may require for that moment & be adaptive to this & able to physically assist with any set up, pushing me in wheelchair & sometimes transporting mobility aids. 

A good understanding and experience of neurodivergence, fluctuating chronic health problems and the emotional challenges that come with this are necessary for me. 

As such I would appreciate someone who can understand the necessity of limiting over- stimulation and assist me in staying organised and remembering things. 
It's important that potential PA's can keep awareness & compassion in regards to impacts of the pandemic & me having health conditions that make me vulnerable to Covid & other contagious illnesses, which can risk bringing more complications to my health & well-being. 
Also awareness and understanding of my Gynaecological conditions & chronic fatigue would be ideal.

I require PA's to support with tasks such as (but not limited to) the following:
• Prompts with eating and drinking
• Prompts with taking medication
• Cooking/Preparing meals and drinks, occasionally batch cooking.
• Prompts and support to select appropriate clothing to reduce overwhelming & according to weather & how my symptoms are impacting me
• Reassurance with showering/bathing & being prepared & available if I am to get a symptom flare up so need support getting out & after
• Support with cleaning the flat such as washing dishes, sweeping the floor, hoovering, dealing with bins & doing laundry
• Checking oven, bath and unused electrical items are turned off.
• Support with shopping as required.
• Support to change bedding as required.
• Support with decluttering and organise the house to be more manageable. 
• Support around & attending numerous phone and in person appointments, correspondence and communicating with various staff and practitioners - at times advocating 
• Support to plan journeys to be able to access the community or attend support groups and appointments to reduce anxiety/overwhelm.
• Support with managing health conditions - checking in & noticing & prompting if signs of needing rest, breaks
• Sometimes need assistance with walking dog.

Due to my various needs & the situation it would be important to have a PA who can drive, with own vehicle - though there is some possibility to work around this if necessary. 

Due to the nature of my conditions, the tasks may vary daily depending on how I am feeling physically and mentally.  
Significant to have a PA who can feel confident in navigating the complexities & restrictions faced with various services. 

An awareness in how to make most of & distribute hours given to work with client, especially due to the nature of her fatigue often impacting her capacity & efficiency at directing scenarios.
Ability to correspond with another PA to communicate & monitor Suniti's needs & any outstanding tasks & to ensure there is always cover for any absences. 

Hours - 15.5 per week

I am currently entitled to 15.5hrs care a week - l am hoping to have a review soon and have been actively asking for these hours to be increased - I am looking for another individual (to work alternate shifts to current PA, so have 2 PA's) to divide these hours between over the week. 
Would ideally like someone available on Mondays, and can be flexible negotiating the other days and times.  Occasional extra hours on an ad-hoc basis.

Role subject to an Enhanced DBS check.