Grey Bruce Boomers Fall 2021
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HEALTH & WELLNESS<br />
by Kylie Pike<br />
Tasks that are usually carried out by regulated health<br />
care professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists<br />
are now the responsibility of PSWs. Yet the demand<br />
for PSWs is at an all-time high, so many home support<br />
workers are forced to perform PSWs’ duties. In addition,<br />
the role of PSWs has expanded to include care activities<br />
previously performed by other various registered health<br />
care professionals. The field and careers of PSWs is not<br />
currently regulated and yet the need and demand for this<br />
profession to become regulated is evident.<br />
The role of a PSW<br />
PSWs are considered unregulated health care providers<br />
who perform personal and supportive care for a wide<br />
variety of clients under the supervision of their regulated<br />
employers. As an unregulated position, PSWs have no<br />
clear-cut scope of practice, so duties will vary amongst<br />
home care placements.<br />
Examples of typical duties and responsibilities for<br />
PSWs may include:<br />
• Assisting with activities of daily living (dressing,<br />
hygiene, showering, toileting).<br />
• Mobility assistance (help with transfers and walking<br />
assistance to help ensure safety and reduce the risk<br />
of falls).<br />
• Basic wound and skin integrity care.<br />
• Light housekeeping.<br />
• Psychosocial care (i.e. respite, companionship).<br />
• Basic medication assistance, prosthetic and brace care.<br />
New PSW responsibilities include:<br />
• Range-of-motion and home exercise programs.<br />
• Bowel and bladder care (ostomy and catheterization).<br />
• Tube feeding.<br />
• Oxygen administration.<br />
• Application of topical medical creams.<br />
• Assistance with inhalers and drops.<br />
• Skilled wound care.<br />
• Donning/doffing compression stockings.<br />
• More in-depth prosthetic and brace application.<br />
PSWs are expected to complete the duties for which<br />
they’ve been trained during their certification courses.<br />
In order for PSWs to legally and ethically take on<br />
additional tasks, which are usually assigned to regulated<br />
health professionals, there needs to be a specific form of<br />
delegation of these services. Delegated services are to be<br />
highly routine, repetitive activities that can be completed<br />
with training and appropriate supervision.<br />
However, it is becoming more commonplace for PSWs in<br />
certain home care placements to take on non-traditional<br />
client care activities. This is typical of those working<br />
with individuals who have extremely complicated plans<br />
of care and medical histories. Although it may be costeffective<br />
and save time to push these additional activities<br />
onto the PSWs, there needs to be a consideration for<br />
intervention effectiveness and safety of the patients, as<br />
well as the PSW.<br />
The roles of home care workers encompass individuals<br />
who typically have years of experience as a health care<br />
aide or nurses’ aide (both professional titles that do not<br />
currently exist, however they did a few decades ago) or<br />
experience as a primary caregiver for a loved one (child<br />
with complex medical needs and/or a spouse, friend,<br />
neighbour, aging parent, etc.).<br />
Attempting to navigate the health care system can be<br />
overwhelming. Trying to advocate for yourself or a loved<br />
one, when there are numerous agencies and individuals to<br />
communicate with, is daunting. Having so many questions<br />
and concerns that tend to multiply the more we learn can<br />
be emotionally draining and completely encompassing.<br />
It can be terrifying emotionally, and physically draining,<br />
and completely encompassing. There needs to be a better<br />
way, no matter how complex.<br />
This does not overshadow the need for celebration. By<br />
almost any standard, there is no better place to live than<br />
Canada. Few countries make outstanding health care<br />
available to all. Even fewer seek to accommodate so much<br />
diversity, whether it be language, ethnicity, faith, creed<br />
and sexuality. It is why millions stand in line for the chance<br />
to become Canadian. They choose Canada because we<br />
are open, tolerant, curious, and humble. Is there room<br />
for improvement in the home care sector – absolutely. As<br />
Canadians, I hope we humbly appreciate all that we have<br />
and yet work together to provide solutions and rally to<br />
help those in need and those that tend to not be able to<br />
advocate for themselves.<br />
16 • GREYBRUCEBOOMERS.COM
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