Searching for a new live-in situation...where to start?

I am sorry for your loss. You sound like a caring person.

Can you look up support groups for illnesses of the sorts of people you would like to work with. Meetings are typically free. Preferably meetings in upscale neighborhoods where people are more likely to be able to afford you devices.
Network, introduce yourself, give out your number.
Reach out to churches, people often go when looking for someone to hire.

Sounds like you will have a good reference.

Best of luck to you.

L

What are your official qualifications? You say you are registered with the state but as what? Your grief is still very raw at the moment. Do you have a nearby hospice with a grief support group?
As far as income is concerned. Were you and official employee of your ladies family ie were they paying appropriate taxes? giving you a pay slip. if this is all in order register for unemployment. it won't be much but maybe enough to manage while you get over the loss.
Get references if possible from three former employers. your current one will of course be as a caregiver but others can be in other fields that will attest to your character, timelyness, ability to learn and follow instructions. Go online and have some business cards printed, they are very cheap. look at the samples and put in your own information. Keep it very professional, this is not the profession to use a cute card or funny picture. They are very inexpensive, maybe $10-12 put you name in the middle with qualifications and underneath underneath put a descriptive phrase. Specializing in elder care or similar. Somewhere include 24 hour live in care and include the number of years experience you have in the field. Buy or make some inexpensive card holder and ask permission to leave a few in Drs offices. print up some flyers on your computer and put them up on notice boards and leave at the office of senior housing complexes and assisted living and any apartment blocks. Put an add in the local newspaper. If you are not a CNA now is the time to get qualified while you have a free roof over your head. it only takes about ten weeks and you may be able to stay in the apartment till it is done. Many hospitals and nursing homes offer the course free while you are working for them. no tuition plus you get paid. you may have to commit to working for them for a certain time after the training. Always present a professional appearance, the elderly are old fashioned they expect a nurse to look discretely dressed. While an elderly man might choose the nurse with the plunging neckline his daughter who is paying the bills won't hire her. hope this does not sound too pushy but it is what I would be looking for. Good luck. Ask you current employer for leads too.

Thank you for your responses. I have never had to look for a job in this area before. I have excellent references. but have never had to look for work, it has always found me. The last 5 years I have been taking care of terminally ill clients. I must admit it seems to be taking a toll on me emotionally and it may be time for a break. I love the work and find it satisfying, knowing that I am able to care for someone and keep them at home in familiar surroundings, but the lady who just passed away was more than a client she had become a close friend. I was her only company for most of the 2 years. We had some fun times as she didn't know she was 92 and thought she was 35.

I like the idea of a business card. I will give that more thought. I have made business cards for friends before and I suppose I could do that for myself also.

I am a CNA and have been for nearly 20 years, although most of the people I have worked for in the last 10 years have not seemed a bit interested if I am or not. I take regular training classes that are offered through my state on a variety of subjects dealing with home caregiving and also am current on First Aid/ CPR.

I guess I should go to a few union meetings and network with them. My last 3 jobs have come from fellow union sisters.

I will settle into the job of finding a job as soon as I can put this behind me and start to look forward. Again, thank you both for your responses.

Veronica gave spot on advice. Also I would add, visit some senior living facilities and senior centers in the area and post your contact info with experience on the bill item board, speak with director, etc and let them know. Many families may be contacting them seeking someone like you looking for such a situation. Also try visiting some rehab centers and doing same.

You might even meet some families at rehab who are in need of your services. Let geriatric doctors offices know of your availability. They sometimes have social workers or advisors on staff that you can meet with before they would allow you to post or refer your services.

Bulletin board...

The answer is networking. Ask any employment counsellor. Unfortunately, it's hard to figure out what that is. It's a complicated world today, and many of us don't have the same kinds of community we used to have.

Get onto Facebook and LinkedIn. Have a decent picture taken, and post that. List every organization you deal with. Include merchants like pharmacists and insurance agents and doctors and clergy.

Write up a resume or letter of recommendation describing your good points and experience. If it doesn't make you squirm a little from bragging, make it a bit more glowing. Have your friend the English teacher or secretary or annoying grammar corrector read them both over to eliminate awkward phrases and misspellings or typos.

Ask your most recent employer to write a recommendation for you, and give them what you have written up as a reminder of your skills and talents. When they give it to you, make many copies, so you can give them to the doctor's office and the social workers at the rehab and the hospital.

Tell everyone you meet about your expertise and availability. This should include old high school friends and neighbors and people you only see at the gym, and the mailman. You will find a very good situation when you are ready, if you keep "putting yourself out there."

Thank you all for your words of wisdom. My part time client was allotted more hours from the state so I am working enough to live. Also, my clients family is allowing me to live in my apartment in this beautiful house for at least 6 months no rent, no utilities. It works out for both of us. I have a place to live til spring at least, an they don't have to worry about vandalism and theft. I still miss my Millie but know she is happy with her hubby roller dancing in the heavens.