Paraphenalia Asked September 2013
Searching for a new live-in situation...where to start?
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I am an experienced caregiver and my client of nearly 2 years just passed away. I am having a hard time with it but in the back of my mind is...I have to move, I have to get a new client, I have to take a bit of time off for me.
Where do I start to look for a new client? I am registered with the state I live in but cant just sit here and wait for someone to call. The family of my lady has graciously allowed me to stay in my apartment until after Christmas, but I have to have income. Advice?.
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Can you look up support groups for illnesses of the sorts of people you would like to work with. Meetings are typically free. Preferably meetings in upscale neighborhoods where people are more likely to be able to afford you devices.
Network, introduce yourself, give out your number.
Reach out to churches, people often go when looking for someone to hire.
Sounds like you will have a good reference.
Best of luck to you.
L
As far as income is concerned. Were you and official employee of your ladies family ie were they paying appropriate taxes? giving you a pay slip. if this is all in order register for unemployment. it won't be much but maybe enough to manage while you get over the loss.
Get references if possible from three former employers. your current one will of course be as a caregiver but others can be in other fields that will attest to your character, timelyness, ability to learn and follow instructions. Go online and have some business cards printed, they are very cheap. look at the samples and put in your own information. Keep it very professional, this is not the profession to use a cute card or funny picture. They are very inexpensive, maybe $10-12 put you name in the middle with qualifications and underneath underneath put a descriptive phrase. Specializing in elder care or similar. Somewhere include 24 hour live in care and include the number of years experience you have in the field. Buy or make some inexpensive card holder and ask permission to leave a few in Drs offices. print up some flyers on your computer and put them up on notice boards and leave at the office of senior housing complexes and assisted living and any apartment blocks. Put an add in the local newspaper. If you are not a CNA now is the time to get qualified while you have a free roof over your head. it only takes about ten weeks and you may be able to stay in the apartment till it is done. Many hospitals and nursing homes offer the course free while you are working for them. no tuition plus you get paid. you may have to commit to working for them for a certain time after the training. Always present a professional appearance, the elderly are old fashioned they expect a nurse to look discretely dressed. While an elderly man might choose the nurse with the plunging neckline his daughter who is paying the bills won't hire her. hope this does not sound too pushy but it is what I would be looking for. Good luck. Ask you current employer for leads too.
I like the idea of a business card. I will give that more thought. I have made business cards for friends before and I suppose I could do that for myself also.
I am a CNA and have been for nearly 20 years, although most of the people I have worked for in the last 10 years have not seemed a bit interested if I am or not. I take regular training classes that are offered through my state on a variety of subjects dealing with home caregiving and also am current on First Aid/ CPR.
I guess I should go to a few union meetings and network with them. My last 3 jobs have come from fellow union sisters.
I will settle into the job of finding a job as soon as I can put this behind me and start to look forward. Again, thank you both for your responses.
You might even meet some families at rehab who are in need of your services. Let geriatric doctors offices know of your availability. They sometimes have social workers or advisors on staff that you can meet with before they would allow you to post or refer your services.
Get onto Facebook and LinkedIn. Have a decent picture taken, and post that. List every organization you deal with. Include merchants like pharmacists and insurance agents and doctors and clergy.
Write up a resume or letter of recommendation describing your good points and experience. If it doesn't make you squirm a little from bragging, make it a bit more glowing. Have your friend the English teacher or secretary or annoying grammar corrector read them both over to eliminate awkward phrases and misspellings or typos.
Ask your most recent employer to write a recommendation for you, and give them what you have written up as a reminder of your skills and talents. When they give it to you, make many copies, so you can give them to the doctor's office and the social workers at the rehab and the hospital.
Tell everyone you meet about your expertise and availability. This should include old high school friends and neighbors and people you only see at the gym, and the mailman. You will find a very good situation when you are ready, if you keep "putting yourself out there."