Elderly care recipients and their families who are seeking home care assistance are often told to make sure that the home care they receive is provided by skilled and experienced Personal Support Workers.
PSW Certified Caregivers
Premium home care agencies demand high standards from their personnel. This means that employees should:
- Provide recent police checks.
- Provide references, to be checked thoroughly by the home care agency.
- Be adequately insured for liability and dishonesty.
- Be fully insured and covered under the Workers’ Compensation Board, with a valid Workers Compensation Clearance Certificate.
- Have graduated from a Personal Support Worker training course at a reputable community college.
This last qualification is important, as it indicates that your caregiver has been through rigorous training. Students in PSW courses learn the full range of skills required to assist people with their personal and household needs so as to ensure their comfort and safety. These programs focus on the skills and abilities needed to create a climate that promotes the optimal physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of clients. Subjects studied by individuals enrolled in college PSW courses include Anatomy, Communication Skills, Nutrition, and Providing Optimal Care and Support. These courses must include all types of learning opportunities, such as lectures, labs, and practicums.
By employing a home care agency that hires only caregivers who have PSW certification, you are far more likely to receive excellent care.
What Services Do PSWs Provide?
There are four major areas where a PSW can provide support. These are:
- Personal Hygiene. A senior may need assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, or grooming. A PSW is trained to provide this help efficiently and professionally. These workers are familiar with various types of home healthcare equipment such as commodes, wheelchairs, walkers, and respirators.
- Medical. Under the supervision of an RN, a PSW can help to organize and administer medications. They can monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, or other vital signs. PSWs can help clients with compression stockings, ostomy bags, hearing aids, catheters, and other appliances. They can provide basic wound care as well as other medical care. PSWs can often help the client with physical therapy that has been prescribed by a physiotherapist. A PSW can drive and accompany their elderly care client to medical appointments. PSWs are also trained to assess clients and alert family or medical professionals to problems or potential issues.
- Housekeeping. Seniors may have difficulty maintaining a clean home. PSWs are able to do light housekeeping such as dishes, vacuuming, bed-making, and laundry. A PSW can also cook simple, nutritious meals for clients. Often times, seniors are unable or unwilling to cook balanced meals for themselves, and a PSW can make meals for eating fresh, or for storing in the freezer.
- Companionship. A caregiver can help an isolated senior to feel less lonely. Caregivers often provide conversation, or engage in activities such as crafts and hobbies, card games, or reading aloud from newspapers or books. A PSW can also take the senior on excursions that can include church, shopping, bingo, or other social activities.
Keeping Seniors Independent
PSW certified caregivers can help you or your family member maintain independence and live life to the fullest. Contact a premium home care agency today and learn more about engaging the services of a PSW.