Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
25 Jan 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
8
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Hello, I am Frank and I need some help! Come and discover a different way of life! At the moment I am with my family in rural, peaceful Andalusia (see the 'What Else' section) working to reform our cave house and little farm, I am mainly responsible for the care of my mum who is 97 and comes from Southern Italy. She speaks English and Neapolitan Italian. An Italian speaker would be the most wonderful bonus, but not a requirement! She loves knitting and company.
She has medium dementia, which of course is progressive and can sometimes be varied, so I think we are looking for someone with relevant experience of elderly people with similar challenges. I would like to be clear that we are not looking for a carer, as we family members perform that role, but someone to provide company while she eats breakfast, takes her daily walk etc.
Can I stress that there is always at least one other family member nearby, often more as we are a large family.
There may be opportunities to also get involved in other projects here, which may include vegetable gardening, DIY, maintenance, cooking, helping with our animals etc
I live with my partner, my step son, (and obviously my mum!) And in another house in the same property there lives my step daughter with her partner, beautiful little girl and a baby boy born in September 2024. (We also sometimes have a varying number of volunteers helping with garden, building and maintenance projects.) Everyone does a huge amount to help my mum, as well as our other daily duties.
We live in the area known as the Badlands east of the Sierra Nevada and 90 minutes drive from historic Granada city.
We have 6 dogs and a donkey who particularly enjoy our outdoor space - our whole plot is 2 hectares (5 acres) on which we grow vegetables, olives, a little fruit and keep a few chickens (for eggs not meat).
There is minimal public transport local to the house so we will always give a lift if we can. We usually visit the local towns 2 or 3 times a week. If you have a driving licence that is valid in the EU there might be a car you can use very occasionally. We also have a few bicycles, so you are welcome to use one.
No heavy smokers, habitual drug users or habitual drinkers please. Otherwise, you will find that we are open-minded and tolerant of people's life choices.
We all eat a vegetarian/vegan diet.
A little bit about me: I "retired" at the end of 2019, just in time for the pandemic! I love many types of music from all generations. I like some order in my life, but am learning to "roll with it" more. I enjoy reading. I am quite techy, probably unusual for someone of my age. It's probably fair to say I am more cerebral than physical. I have a corny sense of humour I've been told. I have been a restaurant owner, IT manager, DJ, marketing manager, disability needs assessor and a few other things. I can cook. I became vegetarian in 2020. I have two sons in different parts of the world, and of course, my loving family here, including my lovely step-grandchildren, Susi and Oscar, who I love to bits! I didn't really expect to retire and become my mother's carer (with help from the rest of the family!), which is why any companionship I can get is very appreciated. I hope none of this puts you off!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can learn English of course, from any of the members of the household, maybe a little (Neapolitan) Italian from Josie (my Mum). and Spanish from my son-in-law, friends and the neighbours.
The local village of Bacor has some interesting features and history, there are routes for walking or cycling, there are occasional fiestas nearby (including one on our land in late August), and cave houses are traditional and an education in themselves!
Help
Talking to Nanny in English, and Italian if possible too, (but not a deal breaker).
As I said before, I would like to be clear that we are not looking for a carer, as we family members perform that role, but someone to provide additional company while she eats breakfast, takes her daily walk, give her a snack or biscuit etc.
Can I stress that there is always at least one other family member nearby, often more as we are a large family.
Sometimes taking a turn cooking meals or preparing breakfast if you are able, and helping with basic garden maintenance. Neither of these are deal breakers either!
When we make contact, I will be happy to provide more details, typical day etc to help you decide whether we are right for you.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
There are 2 cave houses, one is lived in by my stepdaughter, son-in-law, young daughter and baby boy, and the other by us. It's older and needs things done to it and has some parts a little untidy and under construction or unreformed. There is a huge garden around the house which has no real form yet and a little woodland and a veggie garden with olive trees and vines. All of us help together or by turn with this.
We have a large, cosy cave room that workawayers usually share.
What else ...
The wider area, also known as the Altiplano de Granada has plenty of history, a stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom of El Andaluz, and the last part to fall to the Christian conquerors. There are widespread and very visible signs of the Mesolithic culture that flourished here, and remains from settlements of some of the earliest known hominids in Europe nearby at Orce too! Have a look on Wikipedia!
There's the wonderful lake, Pantano de Negratín, hot springs, even a hot waterfall not too far away! Cool mountains, hot desert, and tapas free with every beer or wine in most of the little bars in the local villages and towns. Bacor has a bar which is quite Spanish and welcoming.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space on a field for camper vans. We can also provide electric hookup, and there is a shower/toilet block in this area.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (4)
I was also fortunate that they were fostering a dog that I instantly fell in love with!
I was able to bring him back to the… read more
It was a time that we wanted peace and not too much drama, and Tash is very good at that. She always had a smile and a positive word to say, was mature enough to understand family dynamics, especially had a good understanding of the needs of… read more
I also got great feedback about Liz from other guests who were here at the time.
Finally, although I was sad to miss them, everyone else wanted me to thank her for… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(5.0)
I was also fortunate that they were fostering a dog that I instantly fell in love with!
I was able to bring him back to the… read more
It was a time that we wanted peace and not too much drama, and Tash is very good at that. She always had a smile and a positive word to say, was mature enough to understand family dynamics, especially had a good understanding of the needs of… read more
I also got great feedback about Liz from other guests who were here at the time.
Finally, although I was sad to miss them, everyone else wanted me to thank her for… read more
I fell in love with the whole family from 94 year old Josie to the sweetest 18 month old Suzi.… read more
Deep sleeps in my beautiful and cool cave bedroom..
Most of all, I appreciate à very nice meeting with LOVELY JOSIE , and a friendly and lively communauty.
The occupations were easy… read more
