Personal Support Workers A Presentation by PSW Canada (2007) Saturday, May 2, 2009 Sudbury, Ontario

Personal Support Workers Miranda & Holly of PSW Canada Miranda FerrierHolly Dixon

Personal Support Workers The Education of a Personal Support Worker Sample of Courses taken in an Ontario College PSW Program Health & Illness (I & II; Formerly Anatomy & Physiology) Health & Illness (I & II; Formerly Anatomy & Physiology) Foundations of a PSW (I & II) Foundations of a PSW (I & II) Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology Dementia & Mental Health Dementia & Mental Health Palliative Care Palliative Care Communications Communications Over 100 hours of clinical experience in various settings (i.e. Long Term Care & Home Care) Over 100 hours of clinical experience in various settings (i.e. Long Term Care & Home Care)

Personal Support Workers Range of Services Provided by Personal Support Workers Home management services Home management services Personal care Personal care Family responsibilities Family responsibilities Social & recreational activities Social & recreational activities

Personal Support Workers What are Activities of Daily Living (ADL) These are a few examples of ADL’s that are routinely performed by PSWs Showering/Bathing Showering/Bathing Hair Care (washing, drying, etc.) Hair Care (washing, drying, etc.) Peri Care Peri Care Application of non-medicated lotions and creams Application of non-medicated lotions and creams Performing or assisting with oral care, including denture care & cleaning Performing or assisting with oral care, including denture care & cleaning Assistance with incontinence products or to and from the bathroom Assistance with incontinence products or to and from the bathroom Meal planning and preparation Meal planning and preparation Assisted or full feeding Assisted or full feeding Ensure sufficient fluid intake (i.e. water, juice, tea) Ensure sufficient fluid intake (i.e. water, juice, tea) Range of Motion (ROM) activities Range of Motion (ROM) activities Accompaniment for short walks Accompaniment for short walks Provide socialization/ a friendly face to talk with Provide socialization/ a friendly face to talk with

Personal Support Workers In Long Term Care Here is an example of some of the duties performed by Personal Support Workers in Long Term Care facilities (in addition to ADL’s) Perform catheter care Perform catheter care Assist with transfers using equipment Assist with transfers using equipment Ensure all safety equipment is operating properly Ensure all safety equipment is operating properly Assist residents to the dining room and activity room Assist residents to the dining room and activity room Assist in rotating bedridden residents Assist in rotating bedridden residents Ensure the privacy of all residents during procedures or personal care Ensure the privacy of all residents during procedures or personal care

Personal Support Workers In Home Care When working in a Home Care environment, Personal Support Workers provide a service that was designed to enable our loved ones to remain living in their own home, or the home of a family member for a longer period of time. In Home Care, the Personal Support Worker assists with all the personal care needs which many family members may find uncomfortable to do. The PSW providing home care must pay close attention to the physical and mental well-being of the individuals under their care.

Personal Support Workers Health Care Issues Today PSW Canada wants what is best for your loved ones. They have contributed to society for all of their lives and deserve no less than the highest quality of care during the time of their life in which they are most vulnerable. PSW Canada continues to fight for higher care standards that will make measurable differences in the lives of those under the care of Personal Support Workers. Since our conception, PSW Canada has been actively reaching out to our Health Minister and other politicians in an attempt to bring the issues facing our Health Care system to the forefront. For years now the government has been answering the cries relating to Health Care with promises of additional funding. We are asking where is the funding going? Who is it helping?

PSW Canada (2007) & The Stand for Change Initiative PSW Canada (2007) started “The Stand for Change” initiative in January Currently this initiative includes a petition to the Ontario government to regulate the Personal Support Worker position within the province if Ontario. With “The Stand for Change” initiative we intend to make the Ontario government recognize and understand the need for regulation as well as the benefits to the current health care system that regulation will provide. We have also begun establishing a province-wide network of representatives which we believe will facilitate a stronger connection between the company and those we strive to assist.

PSW Canada (2007) & The Stand for Change Initiative Some of our recommendations are: That all current PSWs (or equivalent) be required to complete and pass a comprehensive written and applied (hands on) exam. Those who do not receive the minimum passing grade would be required to complete another set of courses and then re-take the test. That all current PSWs (or equivalent) be required to complete and pass a comprehensive written and applied (hands on) exam. Those who do not receive the minimum passing grade would be required to complete another set of courses and then re-take the test. That new students enrolled in Personal Support Worker programs would be required to pass the same examination. That new students enrolled in Personal Support Worker programs would be required to pass the same examination. That all upgrade and comprehensive courses for areas such as dementia/Alzheimer’s become mandatory to ensure that PSWs maintain an appropriate level of knowledge pertaining to the various situations they may face while on the job. That all upgrade and comprehensive courses for areas such as dementia/Alzheimer’s become mandatory to ensure that PSWs maintain an appropriate level of knowledge pertaining to the various situations they may face while on the job.

A Note of Thanks We would like to extend our thanks to the Family Council for allowing us to speak today. We also wish to thank everyone who has given us their support in the fight for regulation. If we all stand together how can we be ignored? Miranda, Holly & the PSW Canada (2007) Staff