Aging in Place: Celebrating Personal Support Workers

CARP RECOMMENDED PARTNER SPONSORED CONTENT | May 16th, 2022

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

May 19, 2022 is Personal Support Worker Day and HomeEquity Bank, provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, is celebrating the incredible and vital contribution of their services and work. In particular, they are recognizing the role of PSWs in enabling Canadians to age at home. At CARP, we are advocating and inviting Canadians to join them in their recognition of this special group of people by nominating a PSW who has made a difference in their life, or that of someone close to them. Winners will receive a HomeEquity Bank Home Care Hero Award.

Is there a personal support worker in your life or the life of someone you care about who stands out? Between May 16 and June 6, People aged 55+, their family and businesses can nominate a PSW as a HomeEquity Bank Home Care Hero.

Three winning nominated PSWs will be honoured for their work and receive $2,500 each.

The contest is open to people in Canada, outside Quebec.

NOMINATE a PSW before June 6, 2022

What do Personal Support Workers do?

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) provide care to any person who requires personal assistance with activities of daily living. They may also provide additional care as determined by a registered health professional as needed and within relevant Provincial legislation.1

Examples of What Personal Support Workers Do

  • Assist with activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, mobility and feeding;
  • Assist with medications;
  • Observe and report changes in a client’s behaviour/condition;
  • Provide informal counselling or companionship;
  • Duties and skills to support clients at their homes including assistance with shopping, light cleaning, meal prep and laundry.

When a PSW supports you or someone important to you, you are entrusting them with often deeply personal elements of care.  A good personal support worker always ensures humanity and dignity.

Aging at Home

Personal Support Care Workers can be critical to aging at home, which is the preference of most Canadians. According to recent research, over 90% of Canadians would prefer to age in place.2

Meanwhile, the Canadian population is aging exponentially. Recent Canadian census data forecasts that the demographic of those aged 85 and older is set to triple in the next 25 years.3

But in the current Canadian healthcare climate, aging at home can be challenging. For one thing, there’s a shortage of PSWs in Canada.  What’s more, home care can be costly, and there’s a significant gap between what the government funds for home care and what’s actually needed.  In fact, according to new IPSOS research, just 12% of Canadians have room in their current budget for PSW support. Family members are often not able to step in and provide the extent of care that is needed, whether because of work responsibilities, caregiver challenges, lack of suitable home environment or financial strain.

PSWs are extraordinarily important to families across the country and they are a cornerstone of the Canadian Healthcare system. Their vital importance will only grow as does Canada’s aging population. Not surprisingly, 93% of Canadians believe that PSWs make a positive impact on society. 

This year, HomeEquity Bank, provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, is advocating for PSW funding and shining a light on this positive impact through the HomeEquity Bank Home Care Hero Awards.  Join us in our recognition by nominating a personal support worker.

References
1 https://ontariopswassociation.com/psw-roles-and-responsibilities/
2 Ipsos study
3 https://census.gc.ca