Care Provider Wanted- Shared Living Opportunity in Hampshire County (Any Town in Hampshire County)

CAREPROVIDER BENEFITS:

Generous, Tax-free, Annual Stipend

Respite Care

Ongoing training & education

Responsive case management

Support from clinical staff and consultants

24-hour back-up in the event of an emergency

Satisfaction of making the difference in someone's life

DETAILS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL NEEDING HOME:

Pathlight is seeking a person, couple, or family in (or near) Hampshire county to share their home with “J.” Though shy at first, once J. gets comfortable, she is a very friendly. Prior to the pandemic, she attended her day program at Riverside Industries in Easthampton and was an appreciated and hardworking dishwasher at her full-time job at Amherst College. Although there is some flexibility, our priority is to find a future home for J. with those locations and established community connections in mind.

As most people who know J. can tell you, she is quite the artist. She enjoys painting, drawing, and spending her down time working on color therapy books. As often featured in her artwork, J. LOVES and is fascinated by aquatic life. Aside from anything under the sea, she finds happiness in being involved in the happenings around her. From being your errand buddy or helper to your walking companion, J. is just content to participate and be included in outings or activities – big or small.

J. has lived with children and pets in the past, so a home with either is fine. Although she is used to a family dynamic, she could adjust to a different type of household setup as long as there was flexibility and engagement stimulation on her care provider’s part. Ideal candidates would have skills in working with individuals with developmental disabilities (though not required), be able to establish clear and consistent routines, set reasonable limits, and provide structure. J. does sometimes need a helping hand when dressing or bathing, so there would need to be a female in the home available to assist her when need be. An open heart, patience, reliability, maturity, and flexibility are required.

If interested in this rewarding opportunity visit https://pathlightgroup.org/programs-and-services/shared-living/ to fill out a Shared Living interest form.

ABOUT PATHLIGHT

Pathlight (formerly known as The Association For Community Living) has been supporting and empowering individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities (and their families) in Western Massachusetts since 1952.

ABOUT BEING A CARE PROVIDER

Pathlight's Shared Living program is a service model that matches someone with a developmental disabilities with a person, couple, or family in the community so they can live and grow in private home settings while experiencing the everyday activities of family and community life (Our Adult Family Care program is an option for biological families).

The goal is always to create that perfect match–considering both the care provider’s qualities and home dynamic, as well as the needs and personality of the individual they care for. When that’s done, it’s really a positive experience for all involved (we have placements that have lasted 40+ years!).

We are looking for those people out there who are open to the idea of sharing their home and taking on that supportive role in order to positively impact someone’s life. Not only is being a care provider an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s a great supplemental income for someone that’s tax free.

IS CAREGIVING FOR YOU?

Common attributes of care providers consist of an ability to understand the individual's viewpoint; set boundaries; provide structure; be open, honest, and stable; function easily as part of a team; be involved in their community; be flexible as everyone's needs and abilities change with personal growth.

Successful care providers are highly motivated to make a difference in the lives of others.

WHO WE SERVE

The people we are privileged to serve are of all ages and abilities. They may have extensive physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, require medical involvement, or they may need minimal assistance.