PSW Compassionate Care Crossing the Line?

A recent Windsor Star Article highlights compassionate care and raises a few questions.

Last week the Windsor Star published a positive article regarding personal support workers going above and beyond the call of duty.

Article location: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Aspen+Lake+caregivers+beyond+clock/5929949/story.htm

The Star profiled workers at Windsor’s Aspen Lakes Retirement home. The story highlights the homes personal support workers volunteer efforts, as employees come into work on their off time to support clients that have passed on.

Workers at Aspen form a small procession leading passed away residents from the home. Workers also attend funerals and come in to see clients on off shifts.

Katica Car, whose husband was a resident at Aspen Lakes, shares the following quote regarding this procedure.

“I was so touched and thankful. I really couldn’t believe that so many had come to show their support, especially because he was only in Aspen Lake for a month,” Car said. “It’s really like they were all part of a huge family and we all knew and understood what we were going through because we all knew my husband.”

Scope of Practice

The comments section at the bottom of the Star article has a rather heated debate on whether or not the actions of the Aspen staff is professional conduct befitting a personal support worker.

It’s a delicate issue. If the PSW’s at Aspen are indeed volunteering their time, then this practice should be allowed to continue. However, the slippery slope begins when other employers catch wind of these kind of volunteer based actions and hint at employees to come in on off hours. With the current lack of legitimate industry regulation, the possibility exists for employer abuse in situations similar to Aspen Lakes.

Outside of the scope of practice debate, it’s encouraging to see another article pointing out the compassionate side of PSW care.

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