(February 12, 2020)<\/p>\n
By:\u00a0Mike Ebbeling, CKDR News<\/p>\n
There is a desperate need for more money to get people to work in long-term care homes.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s according to the Ontario Health Coalition.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are there for a while, a year or two years, some are longer. And at a certain point they say \u2018I can\u2019t do it anymore, I can\u2019t provide the care that I want to give to these residents\u2019, and they leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tupker adds PSW\u2019s are taking jobs as custodians or kitchen staff just to get away from the stress.<\/p>\n
He can\u2019t say how much money is needed to do the job effectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather 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\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tupker adds the Coalition has been raising this issue for 20 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was developing during the Liberal regime, all the years when they were there. And not much has changed, it\u2019s gotten worse. Now, with the Ford government, we\u2019re really concerned that it\u2019s not going to get any better.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he remains optimistic something can change otherwise through lobbying efforts.<\/p>\n