There is a desperate need for more money to get people to work in long-term care homes.
That’s according to the Ontario Health Coalition.
Jules Tupker says those who consider becoming a personal support worker often hear stories of being overworked, overstressed and not able to do the job.
“They are there for a while, a year or two years, some are longer. And at a certain point they say ‘I can’t do it anymore, I can’t provide the care that I want to give to these residents’, and they leave.”
Tupker adds PSW’s are taking jobs as custodians or kitchen staff just to get away from the stress.
He can’t say how much money is needed to do the job effectively.
“Rather than just make it a production line of get up, get your clothes on, go to the bathroom, and get down to the dining room, they can actually live and talk to the family member and look after them”.
Tupker adds the Coalition has been raising this issue for 20 years.
“It was developing during the Liberal regime, all the years when they were there. And not much has changed, it’s gotten worse. Now, with the Ford government, we’re really concerned that it’s not going to get any better.”
However, he remains optimistic something can change otherwise through lobbying efforts.
