Healthcare & Recreational Companion - One James : Job Details

Caregiver & Recreational Companion (Private Care Team – Fort Collins, CO)

Old Town Fort Collins | Morning & Weekend Availability Needed | Option to Live In

About the Role

This is a highly personal, long-term opportunity to support one individual (James — a university professor and wellness coach living with a spinal cord injury) in living fully and independently at home, at work, and in the community.

You'll provide a mix of hands-on care (including transfers, hygiene, catheter and colostomy care, medication administration, meal preparation, etc.) alongside personal support, wellness routines, outings, creative activities, and occasional travel or events. The role combines clinical skills with meaningful daily connections, rather than agency shift work. You'll join a small, dependable team that communicates well, supports one another, and shares responsibility for daily rhythms.

If you're available to help start the day (6–9 AM) and cover some weekends, that's especially helpful. The role can also expand to include other shifts like meals, evenings, or recreation if you're open to more variety.

While caregiving experience is required, you won't be expected to know everything on day one. Training, checklists, and ongoing guidance will be provided. We'll work together to ensure you feel confident and supported as you grow into the role.

Schedule & Structure

• ~3–4 days per week (up to 6–10 hours/day), especially mornings and weekends
• Additional hours available for daytime, evenings, or overnight sleep shifts
• Occasional fill-in coverage and flexibility appreciated
• Live-in option available (includes private room, housing, and utilities)

Compensation: $25–$30/hour, depending on care responsibilities and consistency of coverage. Most team members start at $25/hour, with potential for raises based on:

• Reliability and follow-through—especially for priority shifts like mornings or weekends
• Willingness to take on a greater share of weekly hours
• Strong clinical skills, adaptability, and efficiency
• Professional, drama-free communication and teamwork
• Contribution to overall quality of life and smooth daily rhythms

$50 per overnight sleep shift

• Live-in option includes free room and board in Old Town Fort Collins—furnished housing, utilities, and other benefits
• This role is funded through Colorado's CDASS Medicaid program, which uses a task-based reimbursement model. Compensation must align with program guidelines and is structured around the care provided, not general household work.

What This Role Looks Like

This is a highly dynamic, multifaceted role. Depending on the day, you might:

• Perform clinical tasks like catheter, colostomy, and wound care
• Assist with bathing, transfers, grooming, and dressing
• Set up medications, help track supplies, or organize health routines
• Prepare or share meals and beverages
• Help with shopping, cleaning, and household organization as needed
• Provide support with massage, light exercise, stretching, or range-of-motion activities
• Support the use of the FES bike or help with physical activity routines
• Remind me to hydrate, take breaks, or support a balanced daily rhythm
• Assist with organizing, errands, cleaning, or creative projects

In addition to essential caregiving tasks, the role includes meaningful ways to support connection and joy:

Quality of Life & Shared Experience

• Join for walks or outdoor outings when possible
• Be a supportive presence at university events or community outings
• Go to trivia, karaoke, happy hour, or Red Rocks
• Collaborate on travel or adaptive recreational programs (e.g., Craig Hospital trips)
• Help imagine and plan enjoyable days—from petting a dog to booking a weekend getaway
• Provide companionship during travel, retreats, or adaptive activities
• Support personal growth routines, mindfulness, or creative exploration

This role requires emotional intelligence, adaptability, and presence. Some tasks are clinical or messy. Others are casual, creative, or deeply human. The right person approaches both with calm competence, curiosity, and a good sense of humor.

This Might Be a Fit If You Are:

• Physically capable and emotionally mature
• Reliable, flexible, and willing to help the team function smoothly
• Skilled in or open to learning clinical care tasks (e.g., catheter or ostomy care)
• Not overloaded with outside obligations that affect presence or availability
• Open-minded, curious, and comfortable working one-on-one
• Interested in food, music, science, wellness, culture, or shared human growth

Physical Requirements

This role involves an active caregiving partnership that includes hands-on support with mobility, daily care, and adaptive recreation. A baseline level of physical fitness and endurance is important to safely and comfortably:

• Assist with transfers using a mechanical lift
• Navigate a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, including ramps, curbs, or uneven surfaces
• Participate in light physical activities such as walking alongside a wheelchair, stretching, or helping with FES biking
• Set up or move equipment as needed throughout the day
• Join for occasional recreational outings or travel that may involve extended periods of activity or being on your feet

You don't need to be an athlete—just someone who is steady, strong, and comfortable being physically present and active in real life.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with caregiving, disability support, or clinical care
• Familiarity with ostomy or catheter care, or willingness to learn
• Coursework or training in health, therapy, or wellness fields
• Reliable transportation and based near Fort Collins
• Authorized to work in the U.S. and able to pass a background check and drug screen

About the Location

• Position is based in Old Town Fort Collins—a vibrant, walkable neighborhood just north of Colorado State University.

How to Learn More & Apply

• To view more details about the role (including a snapshot of a typical day) and apply, please visit: www.jamespeth.com
• You'll be asked about your availability, experience, and interest in live-in or live-out support. If it feels like a good fit, I'll follow up to schedule a conversation.