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

Merry Christmas & Old Folks

 

Blogs are hard to write lately.  Reason? Overload of upcoming holidays, working as a rep for OPSWA! (the best thing I ever did in my life) and part-time caregiver to the most darling girl in the world.

 

Its December.  Hard to believe another year has flown by.

I have hope, I have vision and I will continue fighting as an advocate for elderly and vulnerable clients across the province of Ontario and across Canada as a member of OPSWA.  I heard the other day that the difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline!  I dont have a timeline…it is not visible to me yet.  But I will continue to dream & work toward that goal of PSWs united across the province in education, support, professionalism and quality.

 

Today I am inspired to write about Old Folks!

I have experienced a lot in my life – and thankfully almost everything I have done has been a lesson to me.  The very biggest lesson in my life was taking on the job of a caregiver.

 

I did it blindly as a teenager – not prepared for it as courses were not available back in the Stone Age ( I am talking the mid 1960s)

 

Hard to believe isnt it?  One of the most important jobs in health care – no preparation.  Mind you things have improved and now we have a new title in Ontario – Personal Support Workers

and we do have a course that trains PSWs in many skills and strengths.  My Christmas wish is to get education standardized across the province.

 

But I digress.  I want to comment on Old Folks.  They are the ones PSWs care for.  Not always – but mostly.  Other important groups we serve are individuals with early onset dementia, brain injury, special needs, cognitively delayed – so many fascinating people I have met in my life.

 

Old Folks!

I am one – or almost.  I am over 60 and on the slippery slope toward end of life..ooops..did I say that?  Yep…as a senior on Twitter I am learning all kinds of things and EOL – is one of them.  Each of us is heading there.  We don’t think about it much when we are in our teens and early adult years.  But when you are a PSW – its something you see every day.  When you are an Old Folk its more than seeing..its believing.  To Old Folk, every day is precious.  No matter if you are facing cancer, or dementia or if you are in fairly good health..each day is important.

 

I don’t believe that Old Folk purposely wake up grouchy in the mornings..but if you do find one of us in a bad mood…perhaps you could think about why?

 

– not happy to have the overhead lights turned on at 6 am sharp and forced to be dressed or bathed or both – and then have to wait til 8 or later for cold oatmeal and soggy toast?

 

– didn’t sleep well despite pain meds and has achy joints and Just got to sleep an hour ago!

– nothing to get up for – no one will visit me today.

 

– breakfast? can live without it – but they wont give me tea and toast in my room because I MUST attend the dining room in order to be socially involved and participating.  Bah Humbug!

 

Does this give you some perspective on your grouchy clients?  I hope so.  Cause one day I am going to be in that bed when you come in and flip that light switch.

 

Be kind to me…speak softly, put a small light on..give me a chance to open my eyes and feel human.  Treat me with respect and kindness becauseI need that.  I don.t get hugs, cuddles, or kind words very often.  Perhaps my husband died, or I am alone far away from children and family.  Perhaps I am scared.  Perhaps I am tired, depressed and in pain.

 

You may have a special event planned tonight – you may have a party to go to or a concert with your partner or family.   I have very little to look forward to.  My family is scattered across the province or country.  They won’t see me over the holidays.   I may be able to read a book or not.  I may be able to enjoy a TV show or not.  I may lay there sleepless til 3 am – listening to call bells, listening to staff talk in the halls…wishing I could find a snack but I can’t get out of bed and the staff are too busy and can’t find anything great in the fridge anyway…

 

When you look at things through others’ eyes – you may understand why Old Folks are grouchy.

Especially Old Folk in care.

 

Give them the benefit of the doubt.  Remember that Christmas time is not that happy for someone who is in retirement or LTC.  They get few visitors.  They have few cards or gifts.  They maybe can’t enjoy the turkey dinner because they can no longer eat certain foods.  They need us more than ever, even just to get out of bed – or maybe to turn over or reposition.  They need PSWs to enrich their life, bring sunshine and energy into their room.

 

I hope you will report back and tell me how many smiles, hugs, words of kindness you get back for being an inspiration in their day.

Thank you to all PSWs who give up their Christmas with their kids to care for others.  Thank you for sharing your energy and time with those who have little to look forward to.  I will be “on duty” over Christmas.  I would not be anywhere else.  PSWs bring Hope and Love.  PSWs make the difference.

 

Merry Christmas one and all.

from an Old Folk who understands the point of view of a resident in LTC.

Natrice Rese PSW

NRese@opswa.com    http://www.opswa.com

 

 

 

 

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

OPSWA PSW Student Membership Testimonial

OPSWA Student Membership
Rebecca Morris-Miller

When I started my PSW course, I knew already that I enjoyed working in the personal support working field, that this is what I wanted to do and that I loved helping the elderly. When I went to my first placement I was surprised to find that not everyone in this field feels the same way. There is abuse, lack of choices, uneducated employees and pure disregard for the elderly rights. While writing a project I discovered OPSWA. I found that there are people who are dedicated, caring, loving and kind and still getting the job done working in nursing homes all over Ontario. It gave me such relief and so I joined OPSWA right away. I became an ambassador soon afterwards and have dedicated myself to finding as many members for OPSWA as I can. OPSWA breeds and supports decent, hard working and ethically bound PSW’s, when someone joins OPSWA I know that they take their livelihood seriously because ONLY those who care about our elderly clientele, our disabled, and those without a voice would ever join. Being a member of OPSWA and being supported by an association that has helped me to find articles for my projects, given me quotes for personal interview stories and given me support when I have run into difficult situations during placement. Without them this journey would have seemed overwhelming. The change is coming, be on the front lines of it. It’s worth it!

Thought of the day

I was pondering to myself about International Woman’s day and I thought about what I do for OPSWA day in and day out.

I do not know if you all know this but myself and those who work with me have NEVER been paid to do what we are doing. Why? Passion and a goal.

The way I look at running this association and what needs to be done, is kinda like how you look at your first place after moving out of mom and dad’s.

” If I don’t clean it, move it, pay it, love it, Than who will?” No one.

So Myself and my team have taken  up this challenge and we are cleaning, moving, paying, loving etc YOUR homes, so that YOU can have a better future as a Personal Support Worker. So that the people we take care of, can have a better future.

I can remember when I was in school to be a correctional officer I heard the story about the woman in Toronto that was murdered in front of 40+ Witnesses….NOT ONE Called the police. Want to know why? Because they all put the responsibility off on someone else.

SAME THING applies to us.

We get asked daily about salary..PSWs want more money, I get it. My answer is Join us.

You want respect? Join us

You want recognition? Join us

You want to hold your head high? Join us

There are many reasons to join YOUR association. and yes i said YOUR association. Because it is. No one owns it. It was created FOR THE PSWs OF ONTARIO.

Now come and get it…Trust me, we don’t bite 🙂

Miranda Ferrier, PROUD PSW

President

OPSWA