About the tasks
Because my body - especially my arms - is weak, I need help with everything necessary for everyday life: dressing, assistance with personal hygiene (for example showering), preparing meals, accompanying me outside, domestic tasks such as cleaning or laundry, transfers and positioning, that is, physically assisting me - for example helping me sit properly, getting me into bed, or turning me at night. Simply put, it includes everything a walking person does without really thinking about it. Personal assistants act as my hands and legs. They do for me what I would normally do myself if I could, but cannot because of physical limitations. These are the things I need in order to live.
In most cases the work is not about spending time chatting with me or keeping me company - I manage that quite well. What I mainly need is practical help that allows me to function in everyday life. You learn the tasks gradually, which is why the first shifts are relatively simple. During night shifts the assistant normally sleeps, but about once during the night they come to turn me to the other side. They also keep their phone on in case I urgently need something.
About the assistance team
My international team of personal assistants reflects a cosmopolitan outlook on the world. It usually consists of about 25 people (before the pandemic it was around 40) from different parts of the world who come to assist me each month. Mutual respect contributes to a pleasant atmosphere, which is very important to me in my private space. Language should not be a barrier. In addition to Slovak and Czech, I speak English (C1), Russian (B2), and Swedish (B2).
Shifts always overlap by about 15 minutes, so arriving on time is important. This overlap allows assistants to use the time for a smooth handover. If you are running late, even by a few minutes, please let me know.
About time
I prefer long-term cooperation in personal assistance, but the time you dedicate to it is very flexible. You decide how often and how long you would like to assist (of course in agreement with me and depending on availability in the assistance calendar). You choose your shifts according to your own availability and willingness - no one is forced into anything. However, it is important to inform me in advance if you are unavailable so that I can make other arrangements.
The specific time - both the length of the shift and the date - may vary each time. The assistance calendar is available on the website, where you will always see your scheduled shifts. Please note that shifts always overlap by about 15 minutes, which are not shown in the calendar. This time allows for a smooth handover between assistants. Assistants usually work at least 1-2 times per month and at most 3-4 times per week. A shift is never shorter than 4 hours (during the day typically 4-6 hours) and never longer than 12 hours (night shifts usually 10-12 hours). Of course it also depends on whether we get along well and what my needs are. The first shifts always take place during the day so that we have time to get to know each other.
About health precautions
Personal assistance makes independent living possible for me. At the same time, having many different people in my private space and the close physical contact involved also carries certain risks. Because respiratory illnesses tend to have very severe courses in my case, it is important to follow basic hygiene rules. The first thing assistants do when they arrive at my apartment is wash their hands. The same applies before preparing or handling food. Anyone assisting me should not come while having a cold, because illnesses can develop much more seriously for me than for most people. Even a common cold can quickly turn into pneumonia.
For this reason, please wear a respirator if you have even mild symptoms of a cold. If you become seriously ill, please inform me so that I can try to quickly find a replacement. If you do not feel well or have been in contact with someone who is ill, please let me know in advance, as I am medically vulnerable. Assistants should come clean and well groomed, especially because they will be in very close physical contact with me. Having to endure strong body odour from someone who has not washed for several days in my private space is very unpleasant, and I have nowhere to escape from it. At the same time, telling someone that they smell is a very sensitive and uncomfortable situation for both sides. I therefore kindly ask you to avoid situations where I would have to point this out.
About compensation
150 CZK per hour, or €6.22
The first 25 training hours are paid at half rate, 75 CZK. I transfer the pay to your account by the 10th of the following month.
The payment for assistance is 150 CZK per hour (approximately 6.22 € per hour). It is not a particularly high amount. However, since I live completely alone without support from relatives and require assistance 24 hours a day, it still represents a very large expense. I pay for 21 hours per day, 7 days a week (3 hours at night are unpaid), so I simply cannot afford to pay more. Some people even assist me on a voluntary basis to help make this possible. Whether someone chooses to treat this as paid work or volunteering is entirely up to them - in both cases the tasks and responsibilities remain the same.
For newly trained assistants, I pay half the rate for the first 25 hours, that is 75 CZK per hour (about 3.11 € per hour). During this time the expectation is that basic skills will be learned sufficiently to perform the tasks independently. Each month I must wait until the payment from the Slovak Social Insurance Office arrives based on submitted reports. I therefore transfer payment to your account by the 10th day of the following month for the previous month (for example, payment for April is sent by May 10). Please respect this arrangement and do not request earlier payment.
About the first meeting
If you are interested in a first meeting, I would appreciate a short introduction so that I know who I am inviting into my home. You can mention where you are from, your age, your job or studies, your experience, motivation, lifestyle or daily rhythm. You may also mention any limits, concerns, or types of tasks you particularly like or dislike. You can also suggest when you might be available for a first meeting. I will compare your availability with mine and check whether an experienced assistant will be available at that time to train you in a language you understand. Please feel free to ask anything that is important to you.
I am not an institution or organisation, but a private person. Since I will be inviting someone new into my private space, I always prefer to meet in person first - not only for initial training but mainly to get to know each other. This first visit is informal and usually lasts about 1.5 hours, at most 2 hours. We will talk about the tasks and mutual expectations and, together with an assistant, show you the basic tasks, equipment, and working environment. If we feel comfortable during the first training and your interest continues, we can begin working together. I look forward to meeting interesting and motivated people - perhaps you among them.
