PSWs are increasingly a vital and fundamental part of the provision of health care in Ontario. This presentation provides an overview of who are PSWs, types of work and reasons for the expansion of workers in this profession.

1. ersonal Support Workers
Foundation of Health Care Provision

2. PSWs
• Provide up to 80% of the direct care to older adults living in long-
term care (LTC) or in their homes
• Role is evolving as health care is also evolving
• Cuts to hospital beds, no new LTC beds, focus in Ontario on home
and community care

3. Changing Role of PSW
• Personal SupportWorker Program – Began in 1997
• Consolidated & replaced 5 other programs & training
• Home Support II and III program,
• Health Care Aide program
• Attendant CareTraining and;
• Respite WorkerTraining
• 2014 – Establishment of new “program standard” educational
standards
• Vocational Standard, Essential Employability Skills and General Education
Requirement

4. Who are PSWs?
• Approximately 100,000 PSWs/HCA deliver care in Ontario
• Over 90% are women
• Large # are immigrant women
• Over 60% are 40 years of age & over

5. “Personal Support Workers
are critical to the well being,
comfort, safety and health
of the people they support.”
(HPRAC report 2006 from Ontario Hospital Association)3

6. LTC
57%
Home Care
34%
Hospitals & other
settings
9%
PSW by Sector
LTC
Home Care
Hospitals
Where is the work?

7. Where is the work?
• Long-term care facilities
• Multi-level care facilities
• Assisted living care centers
• Hospitals
• Mental health facilities
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Community health settings
• Home care settings (including
supportive housing)
• Hospices
• Group homes
• Private institutions
• Adult day programs/Active living
centres
• Retirement homes

8. JobTitles/Classifications
• Often depends where the work is done, but includes:
• personal support workers
• home support workers
• health care aide
• hospital attendant
• long-term care aide
• nurse aide
• nursing attendant
• patient care aide, psychiatric
aide, and resident care aide
• resident care worker
• adult day program worker
• supportive housing worker
• community support worker

9. PSWs – Foundation for Health Care

10. Trends Impacting Role & Scope ofWork
for PSWs
• Increasing demand for PSWs/HCA
Why? An aging population…
Number of People 85 & over are increasing:
• Between 2006 and 2011 – 34% increase
• By 2016 – 67% increase in numbers of people
And
• 70% of those will be over 90 years of age

11. Trends Impacting Role & Scope ofWork
for PSWs
• Increasing acuity of residents
• Expansion of Home and Community Care Sector
• Fewer informal caregivers in the home
• Cuts to hospital beds

12. Trends Impacting Role & Scope ofWork
for PSWs…
•Pilot Project – Self Directed Funding for
Senior’s Home Care
•Educational Standards
•End of PSW Registry & WhatWill Replace It
•Additional Certification “Restorative Care Skills
Certificate”