I am more..

This past weekend my mother went to a “party” a farewell party for a friends husband who had past away a few weeks ago. This was held at a pub as that is what “bob” had asked for..My mother called me and made the most profound statement. “Miranda” she said ” Bob was more than just an old man…but I think we all forget that” – My mom is right..When we are babies, our families, friends and strangers just can’t get enough of our cuteness…We become children..teenagers..adults…all with significant life experiences and changes…then we become seniors..our children are grown up and moved on…our grandchildren visit every so often..we are old. But we weren’t always that way.. My mom’s friends husband “Bob” was a writer..he was a father and he was a husband..He enjoyed his bit of cider every evening and loved his computer. “Bob” was more than just an old man…He was at one point like you and me.

In my work with OPSWA, I see many elderly I meet many elderly…and one thing I see to often is that they are “forgotten”. These individuals that were once a CEO, Nurse, Doctor, Engineer, teacher..mother, father, sister, brother. boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend,, husband, wife and the list goes on. They sculpted this society that we enjoy today and what do we do? We give them homecare with no substance. Long term care with the threat of abuse and substandard care. Hospitals that forget they are human. Okay maybe I am speaking to the worst situations but they are out there and they happen more than we care to admit. These very people who one day WILL be YOU or ME, are not receiving the care they rightly DESERVE and that makes me sad, very very sad.

The individuals who care for them – Family Caregivers or Personal Support Workers have a daunting task. Not enough support or tools but tons’ of passion to give them the best care possible.  PSWs need all the support they can get to provide proper care, so we should all be on the sidelines rooting and cheering on the PSW as apposed to trying to bring them down. PSWs are the future of Healthcare. PSWs will be providing care to someone you know – your loved one OR YOU at somepoint in your life. PSWs are the heartbeat of frontline care. Let’s help them provide quality care and let’s remember those like “Bob” as more than “just an elderly person”

Written by Miranda Ferrier/President/OPSWA

New Blogger for OPSWA

It’s a new year so new things are coming from OPSWA again 🙂

I am super excited to announce our not so new Blogger Stefanie Nucci aka APSWLIFE. Stefanie is not new to OPSWA – many of you will know her as our Communications Liaison. 

When I met Stefanie, she had already been blogging for her own blog APSWLIFE, speaking to the reality of being a Personal Support Worker. I was so impressed by her writing and her honesty we just had to have her at the association. So I invite you to have a look at her Blog and her Website, both of which I am proud to say are now officially a branch of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association.

Welcome again Stef! 

We are thrilled to have you!

Your friends/family at OPSWA

New Years Message from President of OPSWA Miranda Ferrier

As we bring 2014 to a close, it is always neat to look back on what has happened in the past year and how far OPSWA has come for PSWs.

I have been striving for PSWs through PSW Canada and now OPSWA since 2006. What a journey it has been…

As a Personal Support Worker myself, I see and understand all the difficulties PSWs deal with today. When I see this. I want Change. Through OPSWA over the past year, I have met with some very influential people..I have made partnerships with employers and organizations dedicated to the Professionalization of Personal Support Workers. We have and will continue to strive for a better tomorrow for PSWs and those in our care. Why? Because YOU Deserve it. Not just “anyone” can do our job. It takes a very special sort of person to be a PSW. And not all PSWs that are PSWs should be! And thats where OPSWA comes in. We have set standards, We have raised the bar for PSWs and we have NEVER stopped nor changed our message. Recognition for PSWs. Respect for PSWs. and Standards for PSWs.

I believe the association has delivered on all three. We have brought recognition to PSWs by our relationships with media, organizations, family councils, MPP’s, MPs and the list goes on. Through that recognition comes respect. Respect for what you do! For what you provide for Ontario’s most vulnerable!

And we have set the standard. This year OPSWA in partnership with Right at Home Canada was thrilled to unveil our Scope of Practice and our many Standards of Practice for our PSWs. It was a lot of work, but well worth it for Ontario’s PSW!

One thing that OPSWA has done fully is take ownership of the PSW of Ontario. You ask me what that is? Ownership means we accept you all and we accept everything that comes along with it. Our goal is to continue to support, guide and represent PSWs as your Professional Association. We will continue to set Standards and build towards a better tomorrow for all PSWs, that is my promise to you all.

2014 was a huge victory for OPSWA, Bringing over 11,000 PSWs together under one solid Association. All of our PSWs are actual PSWs – all being thoroughly vetted for Criminal, schooling, ID Checks. Making sure that our PSWs stand out among the crowd. We couldn’t be more proud of that.

So here’s to another year of pissing people off, making a difference and most of all SUPPORTING and ROOTING for Ontario PSWs!

I wish you all the best for 2015.

Remember, OPSWA has your back. No matter what. 

Miranda Ferrier

President

Ontario Personal Support Worker Association

PSWs are NOT alone.

Lately I have been watching our PSWs talk on our Facebook group and one constant has remained – as PSWs we are alone.

That remark is untrue. As PSWs in the province of Ontario YOU have a professional Association. There is NO other province in Canada that as a Professional Association for PSWs. We offer you protection, answers to your questions, a listening ear! We offer health benefits, discounts on insurance, resources, help with resume/career building, upgrading, advocacy but most importantly a VOICE.

Some PSWs have asked us why aren’t we in Thunder bay? Why aren’t we in Kenora? Why don’t we do things up north?

The answer to that is simple. We do. We have PSWs in all those areas but very few! In order to have upgrading for our members we NEED members.

OPSWA is a volunteer association – every person that sits on a board or committee or works every single day to bring positive change for our PSWs is a volunteer – nonetheless they are volunteers with TONS of passion and drive.

Without OPSWA – the PSWs of Ontario would not have a voice – there would be no PSW around the table for the PSW Registry – there would be NO ONE defending the Personal Support Worker with anyone – there would be no one for PSWs to rely upon.

So I guess some PSWs are right – if you are not a member of OPSWA – I guess you are alone. So join and become a Professional PSW. Make the move to improve YOUR future.

Miranda Ferrier

President

Ontario Support Worker Association (OPSWA)

MFerrier@opswa.com

http://www.opswa.com

Exceptional People

 

Hi everyone, another week has gone by and it’s time to post another blog item for our readers.

 

Today I want to talk about Exceptional People.

PSWs are often spoken about as Exceptional.  Why? Because they do a fast-paced job, related to the health and personal comfort of elderly, children, palliative, sick, brain-injured, those who have been in accident and have reduced mobility, ability etc.

 

PSWs deal with many or all of these clients with these situations in a day or in a shift.  You have to think on your feet.  You have to be ready to change your tactics, your approach and your job load.

 

PSWs ARE Exceptional!

We are proud of our PSWs – those who have worked hard, gotten good marks, and joined our Association because they have the same vision we have – a United Band of PSWS.  Backing each other up, respecting each other, supporting and encouraging each other.

 

This week, I heard a family member speak about workers who care for my special needs granddaughter.  She said that our child “needs exceptional people working with her”.

 

She is RIGHT!

Our child with special needs is complex care.  She can turn on a dime and go from being fine  to very sick.  She can throw up without warning, she can stay awake for two or three days straight…she can exhaust any normal person.

 

To be able to address her needs, keep her safe, fed, warm dry and comfortable, we as a family need “exceptional people” to take our places.

 

Bear in mind that if you work in Retirement, Long Term Care, a Group Home, or for any community agency – that YOU are an Exceptional Person.  You are making the difference for exhausted family members.  Even for those who are end-of-life, palliative – your care, your watchfulness means that someone else is getting a break, a change and a rest.

 

You as a PSW took this course in order to make a difference in people’s lives.

I bet you didn’t realize that along with the client you care for comes a whole parcel of family and friends who watch you, count on you, trust you and expect nothing less from you than Exceptional care.

 

As a family member who trusts PSWs and other caregivers to give exceptional care to my family member – I would be worn out, unable to function anymore.  PSWs are an extension of their client, and they are an extension of the circle of family support.

 

Remember that when you go to work today…whether it is a 2 hr shift, an 8 or 10 hr shift.

You Matter very much to your Client – and if you are Exceptional – your Client and their family will appreciate you and commend you for a job well done!

 

Don’t forget that you May be the Only person that your client interacts with today.  Make that connection the best it can be, compassionate, caring, supportive and even humorous!

If you can make my family member laugh today – I will love you for that.

 

Be inspired

Have a great weekend.

 

Natrice Rese

Comm. Liaison OPSWA

NRese@opswa.com

 

Hiring a Personal Support Worker – Pt. 1

I am in the process of hiring a personal support worker to join my team. A process that I must say I have never really enjoyed. This is for a number of reasons.

The first being the pool in which I get to pick my candidates. This said pool is quite large, all be it the quality of the water is mighty poor.

Why?

Well, there are no regulations for course curriculum. Private Ontario Colleges are offering PSW courses – “Pay $10,000.00 and get your diploma in 3 months!”. Community colleges offer the same program but it takes a year to finish. These particular courses usually entail at least 6 months of field placement.

I don’t know about you, but I want the person who is looking after my loved one to have as much experience as possible, not just a certificate on a piece of paper.

Ridiculously below average training goes in the LONG list of reasons why the senior service industry needs to be regulated.

I am pushing for the private sector but we can all see that the educational level (the bare root of all our PSWs) needs to be fixed.

The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association is fighting to support just this problem. http://www.opswa.ca

I think we should all gather together and SCREAM for regulations … everywhere in this sector of health care.

If it is not for our loved ones, then maybe it is for yourself. We will all be in the position of needing care one day. I don’t know about you, but call me selfish, I want the best available care out there.

Posted by Take It Easy Home Care

The Gift of a Great PSW/HCW

 

Today I am posting a story about the importance of a great Personal Support Worker (AKA Health Care Worker) in providing care for a dying person in the home setting.

I post it today, because I am celebrating the discovery Ontario PSW Association (OPSWA link – http://www.opswa.com/) and its parent organization PSW Canada.

I am delighted that there is a group adovocating for this INCREDIBLE TEAM OF CAREGIVERS!

Thanks to all the great PSWs/HCWs across the country!

Kath

 

I arrived at a home and entered through the family room door. I was to

pronounce the death of the elderly mother, help prepare her body to be taken

to the funeral home, and provide support for the family. The Community Health Worker served tea to the woman’s husband and helped to settle him in his large recliner. She then sat with the woman’s daughter, and listened to her

reminisce with stories from her childhood, stories of her mother, and stories

of growing up on the prairies.

After I completed my tasks, we visited while we waited for the funeral home

attendants to arrive. The daughter talked of the care received from the health

care team, and the benefit of having a community health worker. She said,

“Everyone was helpful, the nurses, the doctors, the counsellor, the neighbours,

the cancer agency…but Martha, the community health worker…she made it all

work. She has been here 24-hours-a-day for these past few weeks. She listened

to each of us, she listened to my brothers, she listened to me, she talked with

my dad and my mom. She knew how to listen. She did not offer advice except

when we specifically asked her.

Martha gave my mom excellent physical care. Martha knew what to expect.

When we got worried about some change with mom, she knew when to call

for help, and she knew when to tell us not to worry. When mom’s breathing

became worse, she told us this was normal. A while later when the breathing

sounds became wet, she told us that we needed to call the home care nurse.

Martha made the whole thing work.”

Before I left the home, I pulled Martha aside and asked her how she developedsuch competence in caregiving. Martha described the support she received from her supervisor (an LPN) at her agency; she talked about the home care nurses who provided expert care and involved her in their assessments, answered her questions, and modeled excellent care. Martha also told of education that she had received in a workshop on caring for the dying.

Not all deaths are this peaceful, not all teams function this well, and not all

people are able to access 24-hour home support services in the last few

days. I left this home contemplating the benefits of good teamwork.

 

Excerpt from”Essentials in Hospice Palliative Care” by Katherine Murray, p12.

link:  http://lifeanddeathmatters.ca/manual/essentials-manual.html

It is more than “just a job”

This letter was sent to OPSWA when we were PSW Canada. I wish I could remember the PSW who sent it in, It moves me to goosebumps everytime I read it, I thought I would share again.

Miranda Ferrier

Dear PSW Canada,

I feel I have one of the hardest and yet one of the most rewarding careers there is.  I am a PSW and NO it doesn’t stand for Professional Shit wiper (although some days you would think that :P) It stands for Personal Support Worker.

I’ve been slapped, punched, kicked, cursed at, bitten, gummed and have had to duck and dodge plates flying towards my head.  I have cried with, and I have laughed with my residents. I have watched them die, and have held the hand of many while they took their last breathe.  I have also become an extended family member, adopted grand daughter, a confidant and a friend.  I am with my residents 260 days out of the 365 in a year.  Often seeing them more than my own family.  And for those reasons is why I say my career choice is one of the hardest and most rewarding ever.

Nothing can beat the twinkles in the eye and the smile on the face of one of your residents when they see you in the morning and you know they are truly happy you are there.

Or getting the Alzheimer’s resident who doesn’t talk to say good morning to you.

Watching a stroke victim put on their shirt for the first time that morning by themselves and celebrating that little victory. Knowing that you are there for that individual when they need it the most.

Some have questioned the reason for me becoming a PSW and some hav e even told me that I sold myself short by not going further with my education.  I say take your trip to europe and shove it.

I can honestly say that I am happy with my career choice, and yes I said career because to me this is way more than “just a job”.

I hold my head high when I say I am a PSW, and now you know why.

PSWs and abuse

” It happens all the time” – ” unfortunately these things occur” – ” You’ll see things here – Keep your mouth shut” – ” Oh She didn’t mean it” – ” we don’t have to tell anyone, it’s not like they are going to do anything about it” – ” I don’t want to lose my job, so I’m not saying anything” – ” I can’t stand up for my residents, I will pay the consequence”  – ” Oh well, who’s gonna notice” – ” it happens everywhere”

These are just a few phrases that come to OPSWA from PSWs regarding abuse. Unacceptable.

If you as a PSW, see or witness or think there is abuse, REPORT IT.

Enough with the cover ups and the excuses, just to make Yourself feel better. PSW is a Profession where you are to PROTECT the vulnerable.

If you cannot do this, Please exit the profession. We need PSWs that are willing to STAND UP and make a difference. Enough is enough. Abuse is everywhere. Nothing will change unless someone says something.

You want protection, join OPSWA. That’s what we are HERE FOR! If you want to be one of the PSWs who cares about your residents/clients, join us, we support you! We will go to bat for our registered PSWs. We have gone to bat for our PSWs and guess what…we have WON.

So think about this next time you see abuse, don’t shrug it off…stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves..make a difference. BE a PSW.

Miranda Ferrier

President

OPSWA

The Big Question

Since the announcement of the new PSW Registry, OPSWA for the most part has had positive feedback, but there is something that is not sitting right with us.

Some PSWs have said they are against the registry…when asked why..they state they don’t want more accountability…they don’t want to upgrade…It really makes us wonder if they should be PSWs at all…This registry will bring recognition and standards to the PSW Profession. We will not be looked at like that bottom feeder any longer.

Why is it so hard for some PSWs to realize this is a positive and much needed change? Why are they so hesitant??

To be honest it makes me nervous. We know that in every profession there are bad apples..People that are not in it for the right reasons…Some professions it doesn’t matter what your reasons are, However as a PSW it DOES matter. You deal with societies most vulnerable, shouldn’t you want to be accountable? Shouldn’t you want to upgrade?

We are just baffled here at OPSWA. A lil feedback would be appreciated

Again, to those PSWs who want the registry. Congrats! WE DID IT!

Miranda Ferrier

President

OPSWA