Help James
$20–$40/hour across roles
I originally named this page "Integrative Health Caregiver & Recreational Companion" because that's what I'm actually building toward. But, I am learning, nobody searches for that. So, here we are. If you're still reading, that's already a good sign.
The Short Version
The core of this role is personal care. Morning routines, transfers, catheter and colostomy care, meals, transportation. That's the foundation, and I need someone who can handle it confidently and calmly. But I'm also looking for people who want to be part of something more than shift work. People who are able to notice that the kitchen needs attention and just handle it. People who think to prep food for tomorrow without being asked. People who understand that keeping a household running takes initiative, not just instructions.
Some weeks are more fun. Sometimes we'll grab dinner or catch live music in Old Town. Other weeks it's more about keeping everything on track. The constant is that I need people I can count on.
This is a personal care position, and it's personal. We get to know each other. We spend time together, share meals, etc., and build something real. The people who thrive here aren't just clinically skilled. They're people who care about people, who are invested in making someone else's life better, and who let that investment go both ways.
What I'm Hiring For
I'm building a team, not filling a single position. There are a few different ways you could fit in, and I'd rather find the right people and figure out the structure together than miss someone great because the description didn't perfectly match their situation.
Caregiver ($25–$35/hour) This is the core role. You'd be trained across all areas of my daily care and able to step into any shift confidently. Morning routines, evening routines, healthcare tasks, meals, transportation, errands, and everything in between. If you've worked at a busy facility or handled complex care before, you know the pace. I'm looking for 15 to 35 hours per week depending on the arrangement, with flexibility to fill in when other team members are unavailable.
What you'd handle:
Bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene
Transfers using a Hoyer lift (no manual lifting required)
Catheter irrigation and urinary care
Colostomy care including appliance changes and skin checks
Medication setup and management
Monitoring for skin integrity, blood pressure, and autonomic dysreflexia
Meal preparation and assistance
Transportation to CSU and appointments
Groceries, errands, and household tasks
Care Assistant ($20–$30/hour) This role is part caregiver, part household manager. You'd start by learning the care basics with the rest of the team. Ultimately, you'd take on more behind-the-scenes work that keeps my life running smoothly: grocery shopping, inventory, meal planning, food prep, light cleaning, organizing, and general household logistics. Some of this happens during designated shifts and some of it you'd handle on your own schedule. Think of it as 8 to 15 hours a week with a mix of independent work and hands-on time. This could be a great fit if you're exploring a move into healthcare, or if you're organized and self-directed and want a role where you can see the impact of your work every day.
Recreational and Meal Companion ($20–$30/hour) Sometimes I need someone who's great to hang out with and who can also handle the basics. You'd join me for meals (cooking together or going out), outings, live music, trivia, happy hour, or community events. You'd be cross-trained on the essentials: transfers, emptying a leg bag or colostomy bag, basic safety awareness, and how to respond if something comes up. You wouldn't necessarily train on everything, and you might not want a ton of regular shifts. That's fine. But you should be comfortable around medical equipment and willing to learn what matters for keeping me safe while we're out.
For the right person, this could also mean day trips or even the occasional vacation. That's not a small thing. Traveling with me means being able to handle all of my care independently, from morning routines to medical tasks to everything in between. If you're someone who can do all of that and still be fun to road trip with, you might be exactly who I'm looking for.
Overnight Coverage ($50/night) I also need part-time/PRN/backup coverage for occasional or regular overnight shifts. You'd be here in case of an emergency but otherwise free to sleep, study, or do your own thing. Basic training on what to watch for and how to respond is required.
The Ideal Situation One person who can do all of it. Someone who's clinically skilled, keeps the household running without being asked, and is someone I actually enjoy spending time with. That person becomes the backbone of my care team, and that's the person who grows into full-time hours, top-of-range pay, and a conversation about benefits after six months. If that's you, say so in your application.
These tracks aren't rigid. If you're amazing in two out of three areas, let's talk. I care more about finding people who are reliable, capable, and genuinely good to be around than about checking every single box.
Growing Into More
For someone who demonstrates consistent reliability, clinical skill, and strong communication over six months, there is room to grow into a full-time or near full-time role at the higher end of the pay scale with a real conversation about benefits. I've learned the hard way that commitment has to be proven, not promised. But once someone shows me they're in it for real, I'm willing to invest seriously in return. That means more hours, better pay, and a genuine partnership.
What I Need From You
Calm under pressure. Things can escalate quickly with a spinal cord injury. Autonomic dysreflexia, equipment issues, unexpected medical situations. I need someone who stays steady when things go sideways, thinks clearly, takes direction well, and acts without freezing or panicking. If you've worked in fast-paced clinical settings, you know what this feels like. If you haven't, be honest with yourself about whether you're wired for it.
Communication above almost everything else. When something isn't working, I need you to say so. When your availability is changing, I need to know before it becomes a problem. When you're unsure about a care task, I need you to ask rather than guess. The fastest way to lose this position isn't making a mistake. It's going quiet.
Self-motivation. If you need someone to tell you what to do every moment of your shift, this isn't the right fit. One of my best team members recently spent an evening putting away groceries, cleaning the kitchen, mopping, and prepping meals for the rest of the week while I caught up on work. Nobody asked her to. She just saw what needed doing and took care of it. That's the standard.
Reliability above everything else. I can train skills. I can't train someone to show up. When you commit to a shift, I'm counting on you to be there.
Who This Is For
You might be a CNA, home health aide, or experienced caregiver who's tired of the agency grind and wants to work with one person long-term. Maybe you're a rehab professional, nursing student, or someone with a clinical background looking for something more personal. Or maybe you're organized, self-motivated, and exploring whether healthcare is the right path for you.
You should love food. I'm a nutrition professor and food is a big part of my life. We'll cook meals together, eat together, and go out together. I'm also not afraid of a burger, taco, or slice of pizza. Somewhere in the middle is a person who appreciates a great meal, takes care of themselves, and can keep up with an active life that includes getting out into Fort Collins and enjoying it.
You should love music and people. Empathy matters here. Mental strength matters. I want someone who's invested in making the world a little better and who sees this work as part of that. Someone who's genuinely interested in other people, not just going through the motions.
Whatever your background, you should have:
Direct experience with hands-on physical care. I've lived with a C5 spinal cord injury for over 25 years. I need someone who's worked with complex medical needs before, whether that's spinal cord injury, or something similar. If your experience is primarily with elderly care or developmental disabilities, this might be a different kind of work than what you're used to. It's just a different skill set.
The ability to keep up physically. This role can involve community outings, errands around town, and occasionally active days.
A valid driver's license and the ability to drive a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
The ability to pass a background check and drug screen.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Preferred but not required: experience with spinal cord injury care specifically, familiarity with catheter and ostomy care, and a bachelor's degree or coursework in a health-related field.
A Note for Students
I've worked with a lot of students over the years, and some have been incredible. But I've also experienced a pattern that's hard to ignore. Someone takes on this role alongside a full course load and other commitments, trains for weeks, gets comfortable, and then midterms hit or life gets busy. Hours shrink. Communication drops off. And I'm left scrambling to cover shifts that were supposed to be handled.
If you're a student, I'm not ruling you out. But I need you to be honest with yourself about whether you can actually commit to this. If school is your first priority and this would be your third or fourth obligation, this probably isn't the right time. If you can genuinely make this a priority and communicate when things get complicated, I'd love to hear from you.
This Probably Isn't Right for You If...
Your caregiving experience is limited to helping a family member or working in a setting that didn't involve hands-on medical care. I appreciate that experience, but this role often requires a different level of clinical comfort.
You're looking for a job where someone hands you a task list every day. My team operates independently and takes ownership of their work.
You have a packed schedule that would make it hard to pick up extra shifts or be flexible when things come up.
You're applying to everything you see right now. I'm looking for someone who chose this posting because it spoke to them, not because they're casting a wide net.
About the Work Environment
I live in Old Town Fort Collins, which is a genuinely great place to spend time. My home is accessible and well-equipped. I'm quiet, respectful, and I care about the people who work with me. I want to know your name, your story, what you're working toward. The people who last here aren't just good at the job. They're people I enjoy having in my life, and who enjoy being in mine.
I'll be straight with you: personal care work is intimate, and it can be demanding. Morning routines are real. Catheter and colostomy care is real. But if you're the kind of person who finds meaning in that work rather than just tolerating it, this is a place where you'll be valued for it.
See What a Typical Day Looks Like - Visit A Day in the Life to walk through my daily schedule before you apply.
How to Apply
I read every application personally. You'll have the chance to tell me about your experience, what interests you about this role, and which parts of the team you see yourself fitting into.