Live-In Caregiver - Private Residence
About Us
We’re a small, close family looking for the right person to share a peaceful home with our uncle, an 86-year-old gentleman with early-onset dementia. “Uncle T” is dignified, witty, and still very independent — he just needs someone kind nearby to help keep his days on track and support his day to day routine.
He enjoys his space and values calm, respectful people around him. If you’re the type who naturally brings steadiness, warmth, and patience into a home, we’d love to hear from you.
While we would like to have him move into our family home, his current home is his whole life and keeps him engaged, sharp and active.
About the RoleThis is a live-in position based in a three-bedroom villa with pristine gardens in Ellerslie / Panmure.
Your role is mainly about providing structure and reassurance:
- Bring the newspaper in. Prepare toast and morning coffee
- Give him his morning tablet
- Coordinate with the regular cleaner (who also prepares lunch three days a week)
- Prepare and serve dinner, tidy up as needed
- Bi-weekly shopping for meals and the cat
- In the winter prepare a fire
- In the summer set up his deck chair to sit in the sun
- Keep an eye on things, ensuring safety and routine
- Be a calm, steady and quiet presence in the home — mornings, late afternoons, and evenings
- Respect his privacy and quiet time
- Keep the house feeling peaceful
Uncle T smokes cigarettes, so the home is smoke-friendly. He sits and reads all day so this role is mostly hands-off.
What We’re Offering- Private furnished room in a warm, garden villa
- Accommodation, utilities, and a modest weekly stipend provided
- A trusting, respectful home environment
- Plenty of personal time — 10 am to 3 pm free most days
Flexible start, ideally within the next 4–6 weeks
Support from family who check in regularly but respect independence
Who This Would Suit
We think this role would suit someone 50 +, single, or a remote/part-time worker who can work from home and who enjoys a slower pace of life and sociability.
You might be semi-retired or have previous experience caring for an older relative or friend. What matters most is your kind nature, reliability, and trustworthy conscientiousness.
This role would be a minimum of 12 months but would depend if our Uncle required more care and needed to be put into a rest home.
Requirements:- Right to work in New Zealand
- Police Check and two references
- A genuine heart for elder care (formal qualifications welcome but not essential)
How to Apply
If this sounds like a good fit, please send a photo, a short introduction and your CV or background summary to: sunnygardenspot@protonmail.com
Include brief answers to the questions below — they help us get to know you better.
Screening Questions- What draws you to caring for someone with early dementia?
- Tell us about a time you helped someone maintain their dignity while providing care.
- Have you ever lived in with someone you’ve supported? What did you learn from it?
- How do you balance offering support while giving someone their own space?
- Are you eligible to work in New Zealand and able to provide a recent Police Check?