R2R Care Work

PSWs face a variety of challenges that are not unique to the pandemic. Labour shortages, high turnover, low pay and safety risks have been long-standing issues prior to Covid-19.

"Provinces that want the federal money for long-term care will have to agree to hike wages to at least $25 an hour, for instance. There will also be funds to train 50,000 more workers, and money to improve both the quality of care and capacity in care homes."

https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/politics/federal-elections/trudeau-pledges-to-hire-more-seniors-personal-support-workers-and-raise-their-pay/article_32c97647-f0a4-5bdc-ad8b-5283ee58aa4c.html?

Trudeau pledges to hire more seniors’ personal support workers and raise their pay Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is campaigning for seniors’ votes, pledging to train up to 50,000 new personal support workers and guarantee them a minimum wage of at least $25 per hour.

Canada's long-term care facilities were devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This put personal support workers at a significant risk of infection.

PSWs faced staffing shortages, limited resources and problems with management. In addition to this, PSWs experienced a wide variety of emotional challenges as a result of the pandemic and the job itself.

Canada's home care industry is greatly underfunded, resulting in carers doing more with less.

According to the Financial Accountability Office (FAO), "by 2027-28, Ontario will have less hospital capacity, similar home-care capacity and less long-term care capacity compared to what it had in 2019-20,".

Projections indicate that by 2028, Ontario will be short 33,000 nurses and personal support workers.

Ontario's demographic is changing.

Currently, seniors make up about 17.6 percent of Ontario's population and this number is expected to grow to 24% by 2043. The province is already struggling to fill healthcare positions, meaning this population shift will only exacerbate existing pressures.

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Today, we celebrate the history, culture and contributions of Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Check out the following link to find out how you can get involved: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157

Not only were long-term care staff on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also did not have access to proper PPE to keep them safe.

PSWs often have a higher patient load than other types of carers. Their patients may also have complex needs, further complicating their care duties.

The health care industry is changing quickly.

Here are five major considerations that will impact future access to quality care.