Pro Wellness Health Services provides Personal
Support Services - client-focused care provided by a trained
Personal Support Worker (PSW) to a person who may require basic
support, assistance, encouragement and safety supervision. There
are three main benefits for the client who receives this service.
- Personal Support Services are designed to promote
and maintain client independence and safety within the home environment.
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) follows a client service plan
that can provide between as little as 2 hours up to 24 hours of
assistance per day.
- Personal Support Service can provide reliable,
safe and supervised “caregiver relief and respite”.
Often it is the spouse or companion who has assumed most of the
care responsibility. The PSW is able to provide greatly needed
relief and rest for this caregiver.
- Personal Support Services can provide significant
value in terms of client satisfaction, choice and cost savings.
In most cases, the timing or the choice to move into a nursing
home may not be practical or desired. The PSW can provide consistent
ongoing or interim assistance in maintaining the client at home.
The service is supervised by a registered nurse.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: |
What kind of training does
a Personal Support Worker (PSW) have? Are they screened,
supervised and accountable? |
| |
|
| A: |
Personal Support Workers take
training at the community college level for a period of
up to 9 months. The training includes theory, anatomy,
skills training followed by practical training through
placement in nursing homes, retirement homes and community
settings. Upon completion of the program, the student
is required to pass an exam set by the college. Pro Wellness
Nurse Managers conduct all interviewing and screening.
Only candidates bearing PSW certification, references,
experience and a police criminal check are considered.
All PSW staff are supervised by registered nurses. All
staff are made accountable through training and adherence
to established policies, codes of conduct and applicable
laws of Canada. |
|
back to top
| Q: |
What types of duties do Personal
Support Workers perform? |
| |
|
| A: |
Personal Support
may include:
- assistance with bathing (sponge/tub/shower)
- assistance with dressing/undressing
- shampoo/hair care
- toileting
- feeding
- mouth care
- turning/positioning
- skin care
- shaving
|
- walking
(indoors/outdoors/cane/walker)
- lifts and transfers
- exercises as taught by a professional
- medication reminders
- caregiver relief
- companionship
- safety supervision.
- meal planning and preparation
- light housekeeping for safety
|
|
| Q: |
My father is 88 years old
and requires help to stay at home. Is it necessary to
provide him with a registered nurse? |
| |
|
| A: |
Pro Wellness can provide you
and your family with a free “needs assessment”
which is conducted by a registered nurse. In most situations,
clients who require general assistance to stay at home
do not require the services of a regulated health care
professional such as a registered nurse. Pro Wellness
can also provide you with information about other services
that are available in your community. |
|
back to top
| Q: |
Is a Nursing Home the only
option for my frail and elderly parents? |
| |
|
| A: |
No. Most people choose to
stay in their own homes surrounded by family, friends,
neighbors and routines that they cherish. Utilizing Pro
Wellness Personal Support Services can help people and
their families achieve this goal for as long as possible.
|
|
| Q: |
Is there a cost to Pro Wellness
Personal Support Services? |
| |
|
| A: |
Yes. Services are billed
at an hourly rate depending upon the complexity of the
client’s needs. There are two main routes that
most clients choose.
- A client may qualify for a certain amount of service
provided through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care. This service is accessed through the regional
Community Care Access Centre at no direct cost to
the client. There are certain restrictions and eligibility
requirements.
- Clients may purchase Personal Support Services
directly on a pay for fee basis. This may be done
in conjunction with the services allocated by the
home care program through the Community Care Access
Centre or may be purchased on their own.
|
|
| Q: |
What should I know about
selecting an organization to deliver care services to
my family member? |
| |
|
| A: |
You should consider an
organization that clearly understands the responsibility
inherent in being entrusted with the care of your family
member. Such an organization should be independently
reviewed and accredited for high quality. The organization
should be managed and directed by trained and experienced
health care professionals such as registered nurses.
The organization should be highly client-focused with
a transparent and responsive complaint investigation/resolution
process. The organization should be an active dynamic
learning organization where its’ staff resources
are trained and supported on an ongoing basis. |
|
back to top
|
