• For Elderly Arabic Muslim Woman with Alzheimer’s
• Location: North York (Bayview & Sheppard) – Claridges/Amica building (5 minute walk from Bayview station on Shephard East line)
We are seeking an experienced, patient, and emotionally mature caregiver/companion to support a 94 year old Palestinian Muslim woman living with moderate to advancing Alzheimer’s. She is very spiritual, prefers to speak Arabic (also speaks English), and lives independently in a condo attached to the Amica seniors’ facility.
Because of her Alzheimer’s, she can sometimes be critical, judgmental, controlling with staff, and at times unkind. We are looking for someone who understands these behaviours as symptoms of the disease, and who can respond with calm, firm boundaries, and compassion.
Position Details
Schedule (current regular hours):
• Monday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Thursday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Friday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Sunday: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Possible additional hours (if mutually agreed):
• Saturday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Sunday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location:
Claridges Condo (attached to Amica Bayview)
5-minute walk from Bayview Station (Sheppard East line)

Main Responsibilities
1. Light Meal Preparation & Snacks
• Sunday mornings:
• 9:30 am – prepare coffee
• 10:00 am – prepare a fruit smoothie
• 12:00 pm – prepare a simple brunch (e.g., scrambled eggs, toast, cucumber/tomato salad or similar light meal)
• Monday, Thursday, Friday dinners (around 6:00–6:30 pm):
• Warm up pre-cooked meals
• Occasionally cook rice and prepare a small salad
• Encourage her to eat small snacks (fruit, nuts, sweets) throughout your shift, as appropriate.
2. Social, Spiritual, and Cognitive Engagement
• Gently remind her of prayer times and support her in maintaining her spiritual practices.
• Play Quran recitations if/when she wishes.
• Engage her in conversation (primarily in Arabic) about:
• Religion and spirituality
• Education (she was a teacher and principal at an all-girls school in Saudi Arabia)
• Palestine, Arabic culture, and other topics of interest
• Encourage and support her to do puzzles and simple art therapy activities.
• Encourage social visits with Arabic-speaking friends in the Amica building, when she is willing.
3. Physical Activity & Exercise Support
• Encourage daily walks with her walker (to Amica common areas or building courtyard).
• Encourage and accompany her to the 11:00 am exercise class at the Amica seniors’ facility (when your hours coincide), including safely walking her to and from the class.
• On Thursdays (between 10–12 pm, if you are scheduled):
• Observe and support the government PSWs who run her exercise program.
• Learn the simple exercise routine so you can encourage her to do it on days she does not attend the Amica class.
4. Light Housekeeping
• Keep the kitchen tidy during and after your shift:
• Wash and put away dishes used by both of you
• Wipe counters, sweep/mop kitchen floor as needed
• Check and remove aging food from the fridge
• Assist with laundry occasionally (washing and placing on drying rack).
• Light sweeping or vacuuming of entrance, dining room, and living room when necessary.
5. Medication Reminders
• Provide gentle reminders and observe her taking prescribed medications (already prepared in her home):
• Around 6:30 pm, immediately after dinner:
• Blood pressure medication: half pill of Amlodipine Besylate
• Around 7:30 pm:
• Half pill of Mirtazapine
• Record or report any concerns to the family as directed.

About the Client & Required Approach
• 94-year-old Palestinian Muslim woman; very spiritual, values modesty and respect.
• Primary language: Arabic; understands and speaks English, but prefers Arabic.
• Living with moderate to advancing Alzheimer’s – memory loss, confusion, and personality changes are present.
• Can sometimes be:
• Very critical or judgmental
• Controlling toward caregivers
• Condescending or verbally unkind
We are looking for someone who can:
• Recognize these behaviours as part of the illness, not personal.
• Remain calm, respectful, and kind, while maintaining clear, gentle boundaries.
• Redirect conversations tactfully and avoid power struggles.
• Protect their own emotional well-being while still providing compassionate care.

Ideal Candidate
Required:
• Fluency in Arabic (spoken); conversational English an asset.
• Previous experience working with seniors with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
• Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate from a recognized Ontario college or accredited PSW program, or equivalent healthcare aide training.
• Current CPR and Standard First Aid certification (Ontario-recognized; Level C or higher preferred).
• Ability and willingness to obtain a current Vulnerable Sector Check (Toronto Police Service or relevant Ontario police service), or to provide a recent one.
• Strong emotional resilience and patience when dealing with challenging behaviours.
• Respectful understanding of Muslim/Palestinian culture and practices, or willingness to learn.
• Non-smoker, reliable, punctual, and comfortable working in a condo setting.
Assets:
• Experience as a PSW, caregiver, or companion with dementia training.
• Familiarity with gentle exercise support and fall-prevention.
• Ability to encourage, but not force, participation in activities, prayers, or exercise.

Compensation & Terms
• Part-time position; hours as listed above with potential for minor adjustments by mutual agreement.
• Competitive hourly rate based on experience.
• Directly employed by the family (not an agency position).

How to Apply
Please email your resume and a brief note describing:
• Your experience with seniors with Alzheimer’s/dementia
• Your level of Arabic and English
• Your comfort working with a very traditional, spiritual Muslim elder who may sometimes be critical or controlling
We will contact shortlisted candidates for an interview at the condo.
Submit Resume via email to: Tijara@bellnet.ca