![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/picaug28-8.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Castle Keep Retirement Inc. owner Graham Bashford has been assisting a government home-care company with recruiting caregivers and developing best practices as his way of helping address inequities impacting personal support workers which have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Torstar file photo <\/em><\/p>\n A decade ago, Graham Bashford launched Castle Keep Retirement Inc. hoping to fill a much-needed gap for seniors home care in Kawartha Lakes.<\/p>\n The business was doing well until the provincial state of emergency was called March 17 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Roughly 40 per cent of Bashford\u2019s workload ceased as long-term-care homes went into lockdown and clients cancelled services; some to maintain isolation for safety, while others assumed the duties while off work.<\/p>\n Bashford closed his doors April 20.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a difficult choice,\u201d said Bashford, citing an ethical and financial challenge to balance safety and staff income. \u201cAt one point, it was becoming a struggle to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) was available for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n As the health-care industry reeled in the wake of the pandemic, Bashford looked for ways to address staff shortages and inequities for workers.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought, by now, PSWs would have been recognized for the health-care heroes they are and their salaries would have reflected that,\u201d said Bashford, pointing out the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is actually more than some PSWs\u2019 regular income.<\/p>\n Bashford has been assisting a government home-care company with recruiting caregivers and developing best practices. He is excited about the Central East Local Health Integration Network\u2019s (CE LHIN) recently approved Home Support Worker program. The six-week course \u2014 a PSW course takes nine months \u2014 is geared toward non-medical daily living training; running errands, providing transportation and housekeeping.<\/p>\n Bashford said between 60 and 80 per cent of the services provided by PSWs in the home could be addressed by HSWs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis would help ensure PSWs don\u2019t burn out and leave the industry completely,\u201d said Bashford.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a concern under normal conditions, never mind a pandemic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n