Health and Long-Term Care Ministry is looking at a restructuring of the home care system.

By Pepper Parr

December 17, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington has a very large senior’s population – health care, the cost and quality of that care is critical to the lives they live.

Current census data is not available but the number used most frequently is that 1 in 5 people in Burlington is a senior.

In 2011 more seniors were living north of the QEW but the services they require haven’t moved with them – yet. The challenge for the city and the seniors community is to align the services with where seniors live in the city.

SEIU Healthcare, (Service Employees International Union) the union representing the largest number of homecare workers in Ontario, is optimistic about the announcement made today by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The Minister’s announcement is a positive signal towards needed restructuring of the homecare system to bring caregivers and their clients closer, said the union in a media release.

Mayor Rick Goldring has his membership application processed at the Seniors’ Centre – filling another of his campaign promises.

“Personal support workers work hard every day to deliver high quality care to their clients. As the province takes further steps to improve home and community care across Ontario, it’s critical that personal support workers play an increasingly important role as care providers,” said Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Healthcare. “SEIU is pleased to support the government’s proposal to introduce greater consistency for clients and caregivers no matter where they live in the province.”

Only by recognizing the importance of home and community care within an integrated healthcare system, can we improve the opportunity for more equitable access to the services caregivers provide at home—where families want to access them.

There is nothing fancy about the place. It’s simple, serves the purpose with a bus stop almost outside the door and plenty of parking. And the kitchen will rustle you up a sandwich if you’re hungry. The Seniors like it the way it is.

Stewart concluded, “It’s a welcome change to allow funding to flow more directly to the front line. We look forward to being part of the consultation process and we will continue to work actively with the Ministry on behalf of our members.”

The 2014-2016 wage increases for 30,000 homecare personal support workers (PSWs) and new minimum wage of $16.50/hour for PSWs in Ontario was seen as a much needed increase.