Updated January 2023
Death and dying are everyday realities for personal support workers. Many PSWs care for seniors in their homes, or in long-term care facilities, where an estimated 20 per cent of residents pass away each year.
PSWs often provide end-of-life care, where they specialize in helping clients (and their families) with life's final transition. But despite all of this direct experience, personal support workers still struggle with loss when a client dies.
Updated January 2024
Naturally drawn to working in an office environment? Feel you would do well in a structured setting where organizational, communication, customer service, and teamwork skills are highly valued?
Let's say you're also interested in a career where you can help others and feel that you're actually contributing something positive to your community. If you're pulled in this direction, it's quite possible that you're torn between a medical office and business office admin program.
After all, these work settings (and training paths) have quite a lot in common. Which one will ultimately suit you best and be most rewarding?
Updated March 2023
Considering becoming a health care aide (HCA)? The personalized support HCAs offer patients makes this career path particularly rewarding—and increasingly important.
As Canada's population ages, demand for in-home and daily health care support is on the rise. But working as a health care aide is challenging. It takes resilience, physical and emotional stamina, and a clear understanding of how to provide safe and effective patient care.
Read on to discover 10 of the most important hard and soft skills you'll need to succeed in this career.
Updated January 2023
Enrolled in PSW training and nearing the end of your diploma? It's likely you're looking ahead to your employment options after graduation, and for support systems to help get your career rolling.
If you live in Ontario, you've probably heard of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association—OPSWA. It's an organization new grads and experienced PSWs can join to get professional support, and push for greater recognition for PSWs across the province.
But what exactly does OPSWA do, how might you benefit from joining the network, and what does it take to get a membership?
Updated December 2023
Federal government data shows that 10% to 15% of Canadian seniors suffer from depression. And that number is far higher among those in residential care.
Unfortunately, lack of awareness and stigmatization ensures that many cases of geriatric depression go unreported, undiagnosed, and untreated.
Community support workers (CSWs) are not trained to treat elderly clients with depression or make a clinical diagnosis—however, if CSWs can identify the warning signs, they can quickly intervene and connect those clients with potentially life-saving health care services.
This kind of early intervention is key. There are many treatments available for seniors battling depression, including counselling, medication, psychotherapy, and newer forms of brain stimulation. Once diagnosed, depression is highly treatable.
CSWs are front-line health care professionals who often work closely with elderly clients. They have a unique opportunity to help reverse the negative trend of geriatric depression in Canada. The best place to start is by learning how seniors are impacted by this mood disorder, and which warning signs to watch for.
Updated January 2024
Medical office administrators (MOAs) are some of the world's best "jugglers." This is truly a multi-faceted role that requires a special balance of interpersonal, customer service, and administrative skills.
Medical admins interact closely with patients and other clinicians. They handle billing. They keep track of inventory and order supplies. MOAs assist with minor clinical procedures, manage patient records, and arrange appointments.
Updated January 2023
What is elder abuse? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines elder abuse as "an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes harm to an adult 60 years and older."
Elder abuse comes in many forms, including physical, psychological, financial, sexual, and even spiritual. Seniors may also experience abuse through neglect.
Updated December 2024
When it comes to choosing a profession, it's so important to get a clear picture of what life is actually like at work. Every career path comes with its own pros and cons, rewards and challenges.
The profession of health care aide is no exception.
This post offers students a glimpse into the most commonly reported benefits and challenges of this career path—plus the latest news on demand for health care aides in Winnipeg. We hope you'll find this information helpful during your decision-making process.
Updated December 2023
In Canadian society, we place a very special trust in community services workers (CSWs) to protect and advocate for vulnerable individuals. We rely on CSWs to help make our neighbourhoods more fair, safe, and productive.
But given how complex their work can be, there are times when CSWs are faced with very challenging situations, conflicts, and decisions—where the outcome will have a serious and lasting impact on the life of a client, family members, or the CSW herself.
To help build ethical decision-making skills, and understand their responsibilities to the public, CSW students learn the code of professional ethics and values set out by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).
A health care aide student from Herzing College practices patient care procedures
Updated December 2024
Health care aides deliver compassionate, supportive care to elderly patients and people challenged by physical or cognitive disabilities.
They work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and in the home, helping patients remain as independent and comfortable as possible through assistance with daily tasks, simple medical procedures, and companionship.
