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

Hiring a Personal Support Worker – Pt. 2

In my endless task of improving senior care in Ontario, one client at a time, I have finally hired another Personal Support Worker to join my team.

This specific lady comes to me as a member of The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association www.opswa.ca

Regular readers of my blog have heard me sing the praises of OPSWA countless times.

“OPSWA was created out of necessity and want. PSWs all over Ontario wanted a professional association they could call their own.
OPSWA is that Professional Association. It is run by a board of directors and an advisory committee. All who are dedicated to Personal Support Workers in Ontario and making a difference for everyone.”

Why is this significant to my hiring process?

First, members of an association automatically stand out and have a leg up on the competition. Think about it – if an individual has taken the time and money to join a specific association, then don’t you think that individual will be more committed to the job at hand. I certainly do!
I, personally, am a member of many associations and organizations. This is not just because it looks good at the bottom of my email signature, but because it shows my clients and potential clients that I have taken the time and money to be part of a bigger body – to be part of an important team.

Second, I know that my new staff member is now held accountable, not just by my company policies, but also by the policies of OPSWA. I have been told that I have some of the strictest company policies in Ontario. Why? Would you want somebody caring for your loved one, on the most personal level, with slack policies? So, if my staff are following my specific governing rules in addition to the governing rules of the association that they took time to join, then I feel more than comfortable representing my company as one of the best in Ontario.

Third, members of OPSWA are just more professional, plain and simple.
One of my biggest complaints while trying to hire personal support workers, is the lack of professionalism within the industry. As mentioned in my last blog, I believe this starts at the beginning, during the schooling stage. Professionalism is not taught in the curriculum, but it is sure part of OPSWA! Members of OPSWA come to the interview with a well organized binder of all their credentials, extra schooling, awards, etc. They are also dressed professionally and know how to answer those tough questions. This specific new hire also took the time to send me a “Thank You” card (I have never had this happen before!)

You may be asking yourself, why is this important or relevant to regulations of private home care? Easy – if it was mandatory, due to the regulations, that all private home care organizations only hire members of an association, then don’t you think that home care would drastically improve? I sure do!

So the question I leave you with is this … Why are employers not pushing for all of their staff to be part of this association? I’m jumping on board, are you?

If you feel as passionate about improving senior care regulations in Ontario as I do, please sign my petition – http://www.gopetition.com/petition/30982/signatures.html

Posted by Take It Easy Home Care

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 Silent War

I am calling this blog the Silent War  – a war against caregivers, PSWs, HCAs, NAs,and various titles.  In case you didn’t know what those letters stand for – it is Personal Support Workers, Health Care Aides and Nursing Assistants.

 

There is indeed a silent war.  It happens daily in our hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, and community.  Anywhere that people need care – that is where you will find caregivers who do battle in this war.

 

I am proud to be a PSW – one of the categories listed.  I am however disheartened by the silent war that invades the world of caregivers.

 

When I took my PSW program, our instructor told us how important we were to the community at large – that everywhere we went we would make a difference, we would be important to those who needed us, and that our role was changing.  I certainly found that out to be true.  I had worked as a HCA when I first began caring for others, during the 1960’s.  The job had indeed evolved and changed – and I was thrilled to be taking the upgrade to PSW and anxious to make a difference.

 

But, I came down to earth with a bang.  During my PSW course myself and several classmates were picked on and made fun of by one of our instructors.  We as a class talked together and brought our concerns to the Dean of the College.  She had to listen to us, we were all saying the same thing.  We wrote a letter outlining our concerns and incidents that happened.  The instructor was removed.  Not only was I a mature student returning to the workforce and stressed about doing a good job and graduating successfully, but I was a target.  So were others in my class.  That was just the beginning.

 

It is difficult to explain why PSWs are targeted.  Not only were we treated like lower class citizens by a number of our preceptors, and one of our instructors, but once we graduated and were lucky enough to be hired –  we were opening the door too much more abuse.

 

Even during my month of full time hands on training with several staff members in a long term care facility – I met several toxic people.  People who should have been grateful for this chance to teach someone to fill their shoes.  But instead they nitpicked, criticized and brought us to tears.

I decided that I would never work in a LTC.  I didn’t need that kind of abuse.  I couldn’t deal with the fast pace, the shortage of time, the amount of work, to watch my back at the same time as caring for those in need, it just all seemed more than I could handle.

 

Now, in case you think we as PSW students are weak and fragile people …you are wrong.  Anyone who works in a care-giving role is generally a soft, caring, compassionate person…who does whatever they can to help those in need.  We are the ones who want to stop at the side of the road to see if someone at an accident scene needs help.  We are the ones who will go to the aid of anyone on the street who appears in trouble and might need a hand across the street, or inside a business, or just to ask them if they are OK.  So many people will walk right by and never think about someone in need.

 

So PSWs are natural targets.  Regardless of age, sex, race or experience – we are for the most part really nice people who want to make a difference for others.

 

In my school and work experience I saw plenty of nastiness.  I saw PSWs who instead of guiding, stood back, folded their arms and watched and laughed about the students making mistakes.  Instead of teaching, they embarrassed the students.  They let them down.  They didn’t bring them into their world and tell them…you are one of us now.  Instead, they kept them at arm’s length and created traps for students to fall into.

 

Who does that?  Why do they do that?  Your guess is as good as mine.  Although it upset me greatly to have these experiences, and I hear about them daily from other PSWs and student PSWs so I know it is happening far more often  than it should – I persevered.  I wanted to work with people.  I wanted to care for those who needed help.  I kept on going.

 

I graduated and began my work experience.  I was lucky enough to be the only one hired out of my class of 13 at the nursing home that we did our placement at.  But, the problems persisted.  I found that certain staff members were not to be trusted, they would keep me out of the information pool, they would not be available to me, expecting me to figure things out on my own.  Not only the PSWs but the charge nurses also did this behaviour.  If you couldn’t find help in your coworkers, you naturally go to your charge nurse.  I can tell you that a handful of nurses are awesome and come to your aid in an emergency – or will help you even transfer a resident in danger of falling or reposition someone who is very uncomfortable…but in all levels of the pecking order, for the most part, you were left to figure things out on your own, and no matter what you did, it was still wrong.

 

The responsibility that a PSW feels is huge – (that is, if they are worth their salt)  PSWs do understand that they are the front line of defence and care for their clients.  In a lot of ways PSWs are the voice of their residents and clients.  PSWs are the first ones to see problems develop, or safety concerns, and they are trained in class to make notes, to make reports to their charge nurse, to be the eyes and ears for their clients and residents.

 

How good do PSWs feel when their carefully written points are given to the charge nurse and just glossed over…sometimes the PSW is made to feel insignificant because they are wasting the valuable time of the nurse.  I get it, I really do!  Not only are PSWs overworked and understaffed, but so are the registered staff.  Often they are working 12 hr shifts, or doubles.  Often they don’t get their breaks either.  Someone falls, someone phones from the pharmacy in the middle of their meal or break, we are all doing more than we are supposed to do.  That is why I learned in school that we had to lean on each other, help each other, just do what it takes to get the job done, no matter if you have 8 residents or 15 …you just work your shift and leave the next shift in charge of your unfinished residents or duties.

 

Take what you learn in class and try to put it in action in the workplace.  It doesn’t work there.  You cannot complete your assignment, no how, no way, it is just impossible to do what they ask you to do.  As a new staff member in many different workplaces I know how stressful it is to walk into a nursing home and find out that you are all short staffed, and  you are the new kid on the block and  you are not being shadowed or working side by side with a seasoned staff member..you are On your Own!  You are about to go under with the work load, the lack of information and the stress of dealing with residents who are angry at you because you don’t know how to care for them like the seasoned staff do!

 

This Silent War is about lack of information, lack of team spirit, and often staff members who bully and nit pick so they can get  you to what? Quit?  Complain?  Cry?  Believe me..this happens.  Try going back to work after a really bad shift and see how you feel…walking into a staff room where you know they talk about you behind your back, laugh at your attempts to do the job and not get the support and encouragement you need.

 

Now, as a new PSW learning the ropes…who do you go to?  You haven’t gotten enough hours to be in the union and get their backing with problems.  You haven’t made friends with seasoned and helpful staff members (there are a few! and I am grateful for all those nice people who made my learning experience so much easier) and you can’t complain to the supervisor because frankly they don’t care, and don’t have enough time to do their job of dispensing meds, treating pressure sores, giving first aid, dealing with doctors, pharmacies and family members.  If you do complain about your lack of support and insight from your peers, they will get even with you for saying anything….So, what does the new PSW do?

 

They will probably quit work after one or two shifts and never come back – and this is sad…very sad.  Every other place they apply to for work will be much the same.  They may quit being a PSW because of the toxic environment in most facilities…and yes, I mean hospitals, retirement homes etc.  The problem is far-reaching.  The problem is everywhere.

 

Or, the PSW may persevere, may make a friend who helps them learn the ropes and gives them a lifeline to hang onto.  Other PSWs will learn the job and become like the toxic people who bullied them, belittled and made fun of them, and they in turn will treat other new PSWs the same way. So this means the  horrible situation is kept going and the circle of abuse and bullying continues.

 

This Silent War goes on daily, hourly, and in every facility in some form or another.

PSWs are the workhorses who keep the care facility going.  PSWs are hands on with vulnerable clients.  PSWs are told to keep their mouth shut and don’t report anything or they will suffer.  PSWs become cautious, distrustful, stressed, depressed, not only emotionally affected by what happens to them in their workplace, but also physically affected by the stress and abuse that the system puts on them.

 

I saw many PSWs come into the workforce and within weeks or months they were off on stress leave.  Why?  Because of the Silent War.  Because PSWs don’t matter  Because PSWs are not registered or recognized.  Because PSWs are bullied and controlled by their employers, their supervisors and their coworkers.

 

Don’t get me wrong – there are some amazing employers, Directors of Care, Registered Staff, and wonderful co-workers, including dietary, housekeeping and laundry staff who were my best friends, who cared about the residents enough to come to me and say…”Mr. Jones is falling out of his chair” or “ Mrs. Brown didn’t eat her meal today at breakfast or lunch” or “I saw Miss Smith fall in the bathroom and get up again – can you check her and make sure she is ok?”

 

Or the DOC would tell us at change of shift,  “Thanks to everyone for your hard work when you are short staffed, and thanks so much for making the extra effort to give your residents comfort and support”.   Or, the charge nurse would say, “sure you can make notes on the cardex regarding the condition and incidents that happened on your shift – you are after all a PSW…and you are one of the team.  I value you and your assistance makes it easier for me to do my job.”

 

Those words are not heard often enough.  PSWs deserve to be identified and appreciated in a real way.  PSWs ARE the 24 hr support network for their clients and residents.  PSWs DO Matter.  PSWs do not deserve to be the victims of a Silent War.  Nor do their clients and residents deserve to get care from PSWs who are stressed, overworked, under-appreciated, bullied, and ignored.  The Silent War needs to be addressed.  The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association is part of that new identity for PSWs.   Being a registered member with Opswa is your way to help fight the Silent War.  Together we will be one Voice, one strong group to change the situation.  PSWs deserve to have a standardized course so that all schools and colleges teach the Same information, the Same way, and keep PSWs on the Same page.

 

PSWs deserve to have regulation and recognition so that they can become a recognized and respected member of the health care team.  Our clients, residents, family members deserve this too.  It’s a win – win situation.

 

I am grateful to those who I spent a lot of time working with who made our shift fun, who brought in treats to help make short staffed work shifts easier to bear, who came and looked for me when I was still struggling to finish my work and no one else would help.  I am grateful to the kind PSWs who were seasoned, caring, knew the little tricks and shared them, who genuinely cared about their residents, the quality of their work, and who wanted partners on a shift, not adversaries.  Because of you, I made it, because of you, our residents had quality care even without enough time or materials.  We made “lemonade” out of the lemon juice we were served up.  We supported each other and cared about not only our clients but our own mental and physical health.  I want to make it so that every PSW, every Client, every facility has good quality care, by prepared and efficient staff.  Is that too much to ask?  Apparently so.

 

Natrice Rese P.S.W

Communications Liaison

OPSWA

www.opswa.com

 

Issues in Retirement homes/Assisted Living Facilites

Recently in the Toronto Star there was an article portraying the disgusting conditions that existed in one Retirement Home in the Toronto area.  It was disturbing to say the least.  Residents left in soiled clothing and briefs.  Residents who were mal-nourished, residents who had no entertainment, residents who were left to their own devices for most of the day, and little or no company.

It was a terrible example of what you don’t want to see in elder care.  Those who read the article said things like, “How can this possibly happen?” , “Why didn’t the caregivers in the home report the problem?”,  “ This is a one in a million story, this isn’t the norm.”

Some people even blamed the undercover reporter for not doing more.  They felt he should have fixed everything while he was pretending to be a resident for a few days.  Some readers thought he was making a mountain out of a molehill….

Unfortunately, the mountain is still out there.  It is indeed a problem, as assisted living retirement homes, especially those privately run do not have to be regulated yet.  It is being talked about, but a lot of people don’t see the need for it… just like they don’t see the need to regulate the PSWs who work in such facilities.

So, think about it.  You have “unregulated assisted living retirement homes” and you have workers in them who are “unregulated Personal Support Workers”.   Now, you have a real serious issue.

You have owners of these facilities who charge a resident anywhere from $1500 a month to $5000 a month.  These facilities are of course run by the owner, and their registered staff supervisors.  But the bulk of the work and the responsibility lands on the shoulders of the Personal Support Workers.  This means…that unregulated health care workers are now shouldering the heavy load of care, bathing, transferring, assisting in delivering meals to residents.  Often, the evening shifts and night shifts are manned by one staff for as many as 25 to 30 residents or even more.  The lone staff member also has duties like laundry, housekeeping, as well as keeping an eye on the residents and making sure they are safe and cared for.

This can be quite a burden for the staff.  This can vary from home to home, from owner to owner, and some assisted living facilities are well-run and things go smoothly.

However, it has come to this writer’s attention, that some very serious problems are happening in these facilities.

I am hearing about PSWs who work alone and who are being put in the position of being harassed and threatened by their clients.  Sometimes, residents who are elderly may not arrive with health issues, or dementia, but it can certainly show up.  When it does, and if the management of the facility neglects dealing with these problems in their residents…who is at risk?  Why the PSWs themselves.  I heard about a lone PSW who was in charge of 9 residents…not a heavy load of care as long as everyone is pretty much independent…but when one of these residents becomes a problem, then this is a situation that is terrifying for a PSW regardless of age, training, preparation and experience.

When you are alone in a building with a resident who begins to act aggressively toward you, and you cannot find out anything about this resident in their chart…and you cannot reach a supervisor or owner by means of telephone…..then you have a serious problem about to develop.

Our PSWs are vulnerable to abuse too.  Unfortunately when PSWs work for such assisted living homes, they are making a minimal wage, given tons of responsibility and overloaded with duties and responsibilities.  When they ask for help, when they say they need help, when they ask for information, when they become a target of an aggressive resident….there is no recourse.

PSWs are unregulated and not considered to be real health care professionals.  But, they are expected to be super-people and do everything that needs to be done, often even tasks that are meant to be performed by regulated health care providers.

Why is it that residents who pay as much as $5000.00 a month – are getting such shabby service?  Why are PSWs being paid minimum wage and overloaded with responsibilities that can risk their career if they get it wrong?  Why are there no regulations for these facilities?

It is simply wrong!

It is obvious when you see stories of neglect that the system is not working.

Let’s start fixing things.  The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association has begun improving the role of the PSW….and we need others to stand up and begin fixing the problems that PSWs find themselves facing in their workplaces, in their towns and communities.

OPSWA came to the rescue of a PSW in a crisis…one of our Registered PSWs….who was unable to reach supervisors or administrators  left on duty alone, and not having any recourse, the PSW called us for guidance and help.  PSWs should not be left alone.  PSWs should not be left at risk.  PSWs are too important.  If ever you feel your life is in jeopardy or you have a crisis, please, call 9-1-1 and get help.  PSWs do not deserve to take any kind of abuse or risk their safety or well-being.  No one deserves that.

PSWs are one of the most important members of the health care system in Canada.  PSWs need to be recognized for what they contribute.

I am one of them.  I am proud to be one of the Registered Members of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association.

I invite you to join us so we can continue to make a difference for our PSWs in health care.

Natrice Rese P.S.W.

Communications Liaison

OPSWA

www.opswa.com

Wake up call…hopefully

I awoke this morning as many of you did to articles posted regarding retirement homes and the loss of a resident in one of these retirement homes..The Toronto Star did an undercover story a month back regarding a retirement facility in toronto..The disgusting images will forever play in my mind. As a PSW and as a former Correctional Officer I often find myself going back to what the inmates had and what our seniors and disabled don’t.

When I worked in Corrections, I worked in a provincial jail. The inmates had yard time, clean uniforms ,soap/toothpaste/underwear available if they needed it, 3 square meals a day, HOT meals. Sure they had to watch their backs…but there was plenty of staff there to make sure they weren’t going to get beaten or stabbed…if a fight broke out C.Os would immediately respond…not take 30 minutes to get in there…

Why is it that people who break the law get more than people who helped shape our society?  I will never understand how someone can leave a person in a dirty incontinent product…how they can lock a person with dementia in the basement just so they wouldn’t get away/…. It seems that people want to live in ignorance regarding our seniors and disabled.

As PSWs, I truly believe that it is our job to be the voice for these individuals that we care for. One day it may be our family member, a loved one, a child. You never know what will happen in life, but you do know that you as the PSW is a life line for the people you care for.

I hope these stories that are being published grabs and KEEPS the publics attention, because the baby boomers are coming and you know as well as me, that the system is NOT ready for it…We are completely unprepared. So next time you see neglect, abuse, something worrisome, I would like to invite you to tell us here at OPSWA. confidentially is key. We will not share your name to our connections. We will make a difference on your behalf, if you choose to come forward we will back you 150%.

You have my word.

Let’s come together to make our future and those we care for future better, great, GRAND.

Miranda Ferrier, President, Ontario Personal Support Worker Association

OPSWA

Philosphy of Care

As a health-care support worker my personal philosophy of care is that all those who are disabled, bed ridden or in need of care have a basic human right to be comfortable, safe and treated with respect. I believe that the best way to ensure residents are comfortable is to encourage communication. By getting to know my residents and understanding their needs with regard to dignity, familiarity, personal preferences and by using optimal listening skills I can assist residents to be as comfortable as possible. I feel keeping my residents safe from harm, both to themselves or to others is a very important area of care as well. In practice being thorough, diligent and attentive will assist me in keeping my residents safe in their environment. I believe that treating residents the way one would like to be treated, while still exercising time management is a key element to being an excellent personal support worker.

When providing individual care to residents I hope to help them empower themselves to perform independent tasks which promote their self-esteem. I feel that recognizing a resident’s personal capabilities and discovering if they have a desire to complete tasks individually, helps improve the relationship held between resident and personal support worker, but also the resident’s quality of life. Encouraging family members to interact in this process while maintaining confidentiality will also build trust and understanding between a resident and a personal support worker. Knowing how a resident may wish to interact with you as a support worker will also be helpful. Knowing whether they are wanting bright and enthusiastic or quiet and subdued care, will aid in encouraging them to complete tasks they are capable of and be able to comfortably ask for assistance. Although independence and self-esteem may be hard for residents to develop in a long term car facility, it should always be encouraged. I believe residents will have a better quality of life if given choices and independence, in a safe environment.

Interaction as part of a team, with my fellow nursing staff is important to providing a steady, safe and peaceful home for residents of long term care facilities. Ensuring that I am a punctual, well organized, a well liked worker who keeps my personal life out of the workplace and one who is continuously easy to approach will aid in keeping the residents home a happy one. My goal will be to remain open, willing to learn, efficient and willing to ask questions when I am in doubt so mistakes are avoided as much as possible. Keeping a keen ear and helping wherever I can will assist in my relationship with nursing staff and residents alike. By working with staff members in a professional and peaceful environment residents will know they are safe, well cared for and that my focus is on their well being.

Being an unregulated health care worker means I am governed by my residents, employers, the law and myself. I believe it is my duty to ensure that all my resident’s receive the best quality of care, understanding, support and encouragement that I can give. It is my personal philosophy of care to put all of my professional energy into providing the residents with whom I work with an environment in which they feel comfortable, safe and respected. I am pleased and excited to start my career and look forward to being able to provide for people with optimal when they are in their most vulnerable stages of life.

Written by Ambassador Rebecca Morris-Miller