A Journey to Regulate Ontario Private Senior Care

Journey to Regulations, Continued ... Finally

2011-09-15T13:54:00.000-04:00

Over the summer months we have all been busy. Cottages, parties, camp ... Did your plans include your elderly loved ones? Did you read all those newsletters and publications on keeping your elders comfortable and safe in the heat?

I, personally, relied heavily on the fabulous Personal Support Workers that work with my beloved 95 year old grandmother to keep her safe and comfortable.

This got me thinking, are the private home care workers you hired up to date on their training? Who is making the standard of how often they should be re-trained? Did their school train them properly? Have standards changed since they were last certified? Whose to know?

If there were regulations on private home care we would have easy resources to answer all these questions. We would be assured that those looking after our elders are doing the best job possible. There would be a governing body that sets high standards that all Personal Support Workers and Personal Support Worker Organizations operating privately would have to abide by.

Someone told me recently, that Canadians are uneasy about paying for any form of health care. I guess it's because we are used to getting most of it for free. If the government supplied us with adequate resources then, perhaps, we wouldn't need to look elsewhere. Those who do are being punished by the government turning a blind eye on what is really happening out there. Does this mean that the ones that do pay for these services should suffer? I don't agree. Private day-cares are regulated. Why are our children protected but the elders are not?

Until this day comes, The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association is a wonderful resource for all those unanswered questions. http://www.opswa.com/

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again. When you hire an electrician you ask for their accreditation ... so please, when you hire a home care organization or private support worker ask to see their accreditation.

Take It Easy Home Care Inc. will continue to fight for regulations. If you support us ... please sign the petition. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/30982.html

Where do we go from here?

2011-06-28T14:59:00.001-04:00

Do you ever have those moments when you have so many ideas that you feel stuck.

You don't know where to start, you don't know what to try to accomplish at this precise moment.

I am having one of those months ... maybe year!

I know that regulating private senior care in Ontario is my primary goal. This blog started out as my journey to regulating this sector of our health care system ... then I got stuck.

A great business coach once told me to put my ideas in a "parking lot" - whether that is a book, a blog, a task in Outlook, etc. I've been doing this for months now and my parking lot is so huge I need to start moving some cars around.

My first goal, or car if you will, is to start where I left off.

I need to find which states have regulated senior care. I need to find out the statistics about how this is working compared to the ones that do not have the regulations.

Stay tuned for my results ...

In the meantime, if you are as passionate about helping in the process of regulating private senior care in Ontario, please sign my petition. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/30982.html

Ontario ... A tiny step closer to my goal

2011-05-31T14:12:00.006-04:00

Do you hire a registered electrician, plumber, mechanic, dietitian? Then why wouldn't you hire a registered Personal Support Worker?

"Ontario is looking to continue helping those who need assistance with daily living tasks. The province is creating a registry for Ontario Personal Support Workers who work in long-term care homes and in private homes to help those with disabilities and complex health needs." simcoe.com

The province of British Columbia created a registry in January 2010, by September 2010 over 33,000 Personal Support Workers had registered.

To me, that is a clear sign that the Personal Support Workers or Health Care Aides of British Columbia are passionate about what they do and are on-board with this registry. "By creating a central registry for all care aides and community health workers working in BC, the Ministry of Health Services is establishing and improving standards of care in the care aide and community health worker occupations. The registry was also created to serve and protect vulnerable patients, residents and clients receiving care in publicly funded health care facilities." http://www.cachwr.bc.ca/

My only hope is that Ontario's Personal Support Workers will shine and have just as high numbers, if not higher.

This is a huge step in my quest to regulate private senior care. Why? Because the Personal Support Workers, the front line workers for the senior care industry, are now being forced to be regulated. HUGE!

As an employer, can you imagine the comfort that can be taken in hiring from a registered list?

As a concerned child, spouse, friend, can you imagine the comfort in knowing that the organization you have chosen to take care of your loved one is forced to only hire Personal Support Workers from a registry?

The next step in my mind is to take this registry and make it front page news. We can also build on it, use it as a stepping stone, for our quest to regulate the private senior care industry.

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

Hiring a Personal Support Worker - Pt. 2

2011-05-29T14:27:00.001-04:00

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

Hiring a Personal Support Worker - Pt. 1

2011-03-01T08:07:00.000-05:00

March 1, 2011

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. 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.

We get busy and drop things in our lives ... Let's not drop our loved ones!

2011-02-17T12:26:00.001-05:00

February 17, 2011

I started this blog almost TWO years ago. Things got busy so I dropped it.

Then I got thinking ... isn't that what we do in our lives with our families and other loved ones? The elderly need care, but we are just too busy to do anything about it - so we drop it.

I made a vow to my loved ones that I will never drop them, so why am I dropping the chance to help the loved ones of others?

I'm not going to anymore!

The blog is about my mission to change the way we all look at Private Senior Care. There are many not-for-profit organizations fighting for the change in Public Health Care, which is GREAT. But why should the ones who pay more for extra quality service be forgotten?

Stay tuned for my weekly discoveries.

Join me in the quest to regulate the private senior care sector of Home Care.

I'm not going to drop the issue. Are you?

Please sign the petition to prove that you haven't forgotten about your loved one. http://www.gopetition.com/petition/30982.html

Regulations are a MUST

2011-02-17T12:21:00.002-05:00

October 8 2009

The other day I was meeting with a new elderly couple. They do not speak English very well so their son was asking questions about my services on their behalf. One of the first questions he asked was if services like mine are regulated.

Point proved. I am not the only one who thinks that regulations are a must.

Toronto Star Article - Inside the world of PSW Schools

2011-02-17T12:20:00.002-05:00

September 19 2009

This is the exact reason why I am on a mission to regulate private senior service companies.

No one should ever trust a loved one to be looked after by a staffing agency. If you knew the kinds of people that were hired by these agencies - you wouldn't even let them look after your pet!!!

Call to action - EVERYONE READ THIS ARTICLE. Comments are much appreciated. They will help me with my mission.

Part 1 = http://www.thestar.com/article/696940
Part 2 = http://www.thestar.com/article/697577

People who are thinking about hiring a PSW should know there are a lot of options out there - look for a company that is willing to match your loved one with the proper PSW for the job - a connection with companionship is the most important part of being a successful PSW.

Realizations about Ontario Care Givers

2011-02-17T12:19:00.002-05:00

July 18 2009

So I haven't written in a while - doesn't mean that my mind has quit the regulations pursuit. I have had a number of realizations during an incident where one of my clients was rushed to the hospital emergency and then admitted for a number of days.

Realizations ...

1) Being a caregiver is not just sitting and talking about grandchildren. It is emotionally draining. Do new companies know this ... why isn't there a regulator body that explains or offers training to deal with negativity and stress?

2) I've been searching for policy examples for caregiver organizations - none exist. Is this because not one of these companies have policies in place, or is it because everyone is so secretive about this. Another long list of questions?

3) I always go back to the point of these small businesses, new to senior care, think they know everything because they help their grandparents and like being around seniors. This could be dangerous to them and the seniors they are trying to help.

Next week ... back to my hunt for regulations in the States.

Regulations for Home Care in the United States cont.

2011-02-17T12:18:00.002-05:00

July 10 2009

Heard back from the National Home Care Association.

The lady told me that she doesn't have any data on which states have home care regulations. She told me that I would have to contact each state individually.

She also told me that I could try the Department of Public Health.

Contacting the States Home Care Associations looks to be my best bet.

Stay tuned ...

Canadian Home Care Statistics

2011-02-17T12:17:00.000-05:00

July 7 2009
Found some more facts:

* Seniors 85+ compose the fastest growing segment of the population

* Home care is one of the fastest growing sectors in health care - provincial budgets for this service have doubled in recent years - representing 4.3% of the total provincial and territorial governments expenditures

* 1999 census data includes - 2.1% of Canadians use home care services

*According to the National Population Health Survey in 2002 - 12% or 400,000 seniors in Canada used at least one home care service in 1997

* 10% of seniors age 65 - 69 use home care services
* 20% of seniors age 80 - 84 use home care services
* 37% of seniors older than 85 use home care services

*Currently Canada doesn't have a national home care program, nor are public home care services required to be provided under the Canada Health Act.

*Health Commissioner Roy Romanow of the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada recommends that home care be included as medically necessary.

CONCLUSION - Home Care is needed for our growing population & isn't even regulated at the provincial level, never mind the private sector.

Why are we forgetting about our elders?

Today I called The National Pace Association in Northern Virginia, as per the recommendation of the Rural Assistant Centre. They did not have any information for me, but put me in contact with the National Home Care Association in Washington. I called and left a message.

Who would have thought that a simple question such as which states have regulations for Home Health Care would be so difficult to answer?

More conclusions to come ... hopefully

Regulations for Home Care in the United States cont.

2011-02-17T12:12:00.000-05:00

June 29 2009

Today was another day of interesting discoveries.

First - called AARP head office. They did not have any information on which states are regulated. They put me in touch with the Rural Assistant Centre in North Dakota. They also informed me that I could call each state AARP head office and they would know the answer state-by-state.

Starting to look like this might have to be done.

Second - called the Rural Assistant Centre. This is an organization that consists of librarians who find interesting statistics and post them on line. The woman I spoke to was very helpful, but did not have the answer for me.
She put me in touch with the National Pace Association, The Family Caregiver Alliance & The Administration on aging in the United States Government.

I am hopeful that my answer is coming closer.

Regulations for Home Care in the United States cont.

2011-02-17T12:11:00.000-05:00

June 28 2009

Still researching states that have regulations for home care organizations.

Found...

1) Maryland is licensed by the office of Health Care Quality: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

2) Virginia is licensed by the Virginia Department of Health.

More discoveries to come ...

Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation

2011-02-17T12:00:00.001-05:00

June 22 2009

I made some interesting discoveries and progress today.

Audrey Eagan left me a message early this morning, even during a city wide strike. She informed me that the Province regulates the long-term care facilities so they will probably regulate the senior companion services as well.

She also informed me to contact the Senior Secretariat.

I did some more research on line and found the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. Here I found an extensive list to regulate home care organizations. This is a list that every senior and family member should know about. This is a list that should also involve shoppers and simple care providers.

I will call them tomorrow to find out what they are all about.

Regulations for Home Care in the United States

2011-02-17T11:54:00.002-05:00

June 20 - 21, 2009

Researching the regulations for home care in the United States. I have found so far that Missouri and Florida have a government division in place.

If Canada is supposed to possess a better health care system, why do we leave our seniors and their families to their own devises?

The act of choosing good care for yourself or for your loved ones is usually the first step in a long line of care decisions. This is when everyone is the most confused. New to the game, don't know where to turn, so many options and questions. But why doesn't the government step in? Why can't they help these seniors and their families?

I am going to get to the bottom of this.

Toronto Senior's Forum

2011-02-17T11:52:00.003-05:00

June 19, 2009

11:00 a.m. - Called Audrey Eagan again - Left a message

Toronto Senior's Forum

2011-02-17T11:45:00.003-05:00

June 18 2009

11:30 a.m. - left message with Audrey Eagan @ the Toronto Senior's Forum on discussing the regulating of Senior Companion Service. Her name was given to me from the front desk at the Forum.

Also want to discuss with her about setting up a survey with seniors on questions regarding what they look for in Senior Companion Services.

Ontario Society for Senior Citizen's Organizations

2011-02-17T11:06:00.001-05:00

June 11, 2009

Called the Ontario Society for Senior Citizen's Organizations to ask if they have had any meetings on the subject or any research.

They have no information on the subject and told me to call the Senior Secretariat.

Called the Seniors Forum, who I saw speak at the Senior's Living in Diversity Celebration on June 9 2009 -@ Nathan Philips Square. - They gave me the name of a lady to call who might be able to help me.