Every year on May 19, Personal Support Worker Day is a chance to celebrate and honour the essential role Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Home Support Workers (HSWs) play in Ontario’s healthcare system.

Approximately 34% of the province’s PSWs work in home and community care, supporting people to remain in their own homes and helping with daily tasks that have become difficult due to age, illness, injury or disability. PSWs and HSWs also provide vital companionship to vulnerable Ontarians, alleviate some of the strain that informal or family caregivers experience and are often the first health professionals to notice a change in a client’s health or wellbeing. This support helps keep residents safe and comfortable at home and dramatically reduces the need for emergency room visits, costly hospital stays or long-term care admissions.

At VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), our vital support teams provide personal care services that may include bathing, dressing, grooming and medication management and both PSWs and HSWs help with meal preparation, household duties, companionship and respite care for overwhelmed caregivers.

We want to wish all PSWs and HSWs a Happy Personal Support Worker Day from all of us at VHA. Today and every day, we recognize your compassion and commitment and the incredible contributions you make to our clients and families. To help us celebrate, a few VHA support workers shared why their work is so valuable and what they love most about their profession. Read more from Jullie, Jane, Amber and Delores:

Jullie Ann Sayco, PSW

“PSWs are truly the backbone of the healthcare system. We improve the quality of life for so many seniors, children and adults through respect, empathy and compassion.”

“For me, helping others is the most rewarding part of the job. It is hard work but it makes me feel like my job is easy when I see a client with a big smile or when they thank me for all the help and support.”

Jane Kariuki, PSW

“Personal and home support workers are so important because we help seniors get the most professional care with dignity and in the comfort of their own homes.”

“Being a PSW is more of a passion than a profession for me. I am so lucky to be able to connect with different people from diverse cultures and religious backgrounds.”

“At the end of a busy day, I feel refreshed and reenergized to see my clients smile back and appreciate the care I was able to offer them. I believe that what you do or say to others will one day find its way back to you.”

Amber Turner, HSW

“Since the start of my career about 10 years ago I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with seniors in our community. HSWs and PSWs are so important because we keep our clients safe and cared for in their homes, relieving pressure on hospitals and long term care facilities.”

“What I like most about my job is definitely my clients and working in the community. Providing professional companionship and always striving for the highest quality of care, gives me real sense of worth.”

Delores Shaw, PSW

“PSWs make such a difference in the lives of so many people every single day. Most of my clients can’t take a shower, get dressed or prepare meals without this help. We make sure that they are safe, independent and cared for.”

“My favourite part of the job is just being able to spend time with my clients and keep them company. I know that simple and small acts like playing cards, doing word searches or a puzzle together make their day and that’s so rewarding.”