As Canada’s senior population grows, so does the demand for quality care and support services. Personal Support Worker (PSW)-certified caregivers play an important role in assisting the elderly and allowing them to preserve their independence. Seniors and their families should make sure that they hire trained workers to take care of them at home, ensuring the care is provided by experienced professionals.
PSW Certified Caregivers
Premium home care agencies have high expectations of their employees. So employees must
- Provide copies of recent police checks.
- Provide references that will be examined by the home care agency.
- You must be properly insured and covered by the Workers’ Compensation Board and have a valid Workers Compensation Clearance Certificate.
- Have completed a Personal Support Worker training course at a reputed college.
Having a PSW certificate shows that the caregiver has completed thorough training. Students majoring in PSW acquire the knowledge and abilities necessary to help people with their daily duties so they can feel safe and comfortable. PSW course concentrates on creating a setting that supports clients’ general well-being and satisfaction. College students who are studying PSW classes usually learn about nutrition, anatomy, and how to provide excellent care and support. These courses must include all forms of instruction, including lectures, labs, and hands-on activities.
What services do Personal Support Workers (PSWs) offer?
There are four main areas where a PSW can offer assistance. As follows:
Personal Hygiene: An senior person may require help with bathing, using the restroom, clothing, or grooming. A PSW is qualified to offer this support effectively and competently. These professionals are knowledgeable in several varieties of home healthcare equipment, including commodes, wheelchairs, walkers, and respirators.
Medical: PSW can help an RN with organizing and giving medication. They can watch out for other important signs in your body, like your blood pressure or the amount of sugar in your blood. PSWs can help clients with compression stockings, ostomy bags, hearing aids, and catheters, among other things. They can provide more medical services along with basic care for wounds. When a physiotherapist gives exercises or treatments to a patient, PSWs can often help the patient.
Housekeeping: Cleaning and organizing their homes may be difficult for older people. Personal Support Workers (PSWs) can do basic household chores like tidying up the bed, cleaning, and washing the dishes. A PSW can make fast, healthy meals for people. A personal support worker (PSW) can cook meals for seniors to eat right away or store them in the freezer. This is helpful if the senior struggles to make nutritious meals for themselves regularly or if they are unwilling to do so.
Companionship: Having a caregiver for company can help an old person who lives alone feel less lonely. Caregivers often talk or do activities like reading books or newspapers, doing crafts or hobbies, or playing cards. A PSW can go out with the older person and they can go to places like church, stores, bingo, or other social events together.
To learn more about PSW courses check out our programs.