Working as a Caregiver
We are currently interviewing for CAREGIVERS. At this time all shifts need to be filled – day, evening, nights and weekends. We are also considering alternative caregiving schedules such as working three long days and enjoying the rest of the week off. We plan to open the lodge to residents in September with caregiver training beginning shortly before that.
Our caregivers are the “heart” of Hilltop Ranch. They will help foster an atmosphere that encourages personal growth and an attitude that encourages service and involvement in the local community. While we gladly welcome residents of any faith, our staff embraces the faith that is the foundation of Hilltop Ranch. We strive to follow the teachings of Jesus and to love and serve others as He did. Our caregivers will honor the values that influence the operation of the lodge.
Becoming a Resident
Our first home, the lodge at 201 Pinecrest Way in Palmer Lake, is able to house eight residents along with their caregivers.
Financial Obligations:
Being a resident at Hilltop Ranch is currently funded through monthly tuition payments on the part of the resident’s family supplemented by the contributions of donors and monies obtained through grants and foundations.
We are often asked if government funding for residential care (the DD waiver) would be available for our residents. The efforts of Together for Choice and Coalition for Community Choice are helpful as we research the possibility of receiving DD waiver funds. The success of other like communities (Benjamin’s Hope and A New Leaf) in being able to receive this funding is giving us hope! We are meeting with state officials and are encouraged by their response.
Although most care costs are provided, extra fees will be charged for some services such as overseeing medical appointments, providing rides to the airport and occasionally participating in more expensive (optional) outings.
While we may be able to meet greater needs in the future, at present our residents must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be able to cover the cost of care
- Have a primary diagnosis of developmental disability or cognitive challenge
- Have medical conditions that are manageable in the context of our healthcare resources
- Be accepting of supervision
- Be able to be left alone for short periods of time
- Be able to ambulate and/or transfer independently
- Be free of impulse to take flight or run away (essential)
- Be free from patterns of aggression or abuse toward self and others
- Be capable of most self-care and activities of daily living with prompting (e.g. eating, brushing teeth, dressing, toileting, independent bathing/showering, etc.)
- Be able to live successfully in a community with others
- Be able to meaningfully engage in programs and activities to the extent of his/her ability
- Require minimum oversight during the night
Life at the Lodge
Weekday schedules:
While open to the possibility of developing day programming and job training, for this beginning stage of operating, we plan to keep our residents involved in the various day programs available in the area. We have potential residents that maintain a job, such as at the local Safeway. We our considering strategies to make it possible for them to continue in their jobs.
Weekday evening and weekend schedules:
We stay active! Some activities that we will enjoy are Special Olympics, hiking, picnics, riding bikes, miniature golf, walking to the local ice cream store, attending church if they desire, entertaining guests, and participating in special events in the community.
Involving volunteers:
We plan to have an active volunteer program that will enrich life at the lodge. Volunteers may come for a game night, provide dinner and involve our residents in preparing it, provide a night of music and even dancing, invite our gang to their home for a BBQ or their farm to see the animals, join in a weekend activity or organize a fishing trip.