Aging doesn’t have to be the fearful thing it’s made out to be. With better healthcare and more reasons to stay active, seniors are living better lives and keeping their independent lifestyles for longer.
But we’ll all require help someday, and as Ontario’s population continues to age, the need for personal support workers will only continue to grow.
Here’s why Ontario needs more kind, empathetic and dedicated people to take up personal support worker duties.
They’re the backbone of the long-term care industry.
Being a personal support worker isn’t just about providing care to an aging person, it’s about helping them maintain a level of independence and dignity in their lives. Residents and patients see plenty of medical professionals throughout the day, so a warm smile or an easy-going conversation with a PSW can make all the difference.
Tasks like dressing, bathing and bathroom assistance need a gentle hand. No one wants to be treated like an obligation, so administering medication and handling social interactions are easier when a genuine connection is formed first. Being a PSW requires heart and warmth, so they provide a service that’s needed more than ever.
Someone who studies a personal support worker program often does it because they genuinely want to help. That kind of personal involvement forges a deep emotional investment in the lives of their patients and makes them even better at what they do.
Demand for personal support workers is higher than ever.
Some long-term care homes report they don’t have the coverage needed to provide proper care. Being short by just one or two personal support workers a shift means that residents receive not only less care, but a lower quality of care, too.
With the need for more PSWs growing, many not only handle more patients than is ideal in a day but often also provide services to more than one long-term care facility. All of this stresses the need for more personal support workers and quality PSW course work to train them.
Canada’s population is getting older.
Baby boomers began entering retirement in 2012. As the world’s second-largest generation, they’re currently driving the biggest increase in demand for long-term care that our country has ever seen.
Because of this shift, it also means there are more personal support workers retiring from their jobs than there are those who are just beginning their PSW careers. Add to that Canada’s low birth rate, and that certainly creates a problem for an aging population.
That’s why Ontario colleges are so focused on developing the kind of PSW course that will help those interested in personal support worker duties. Now is the time to take advantage of this growing employment opportunity.
Long-term elder care costs are only going up.
Along with an aging population comes an increase in long-term care costs. According to a new study by the Canadian Medical Association, costs for elder care will likely double in the next 10 years.
In 2019, roughly 380,000 seniors entered long-term care at a cost of $29.7 billion. While in 2031, more than 606,000 seniors are expected to seek out long-term care, increasing costs to nearly $58.5 billion per year.
Many baby boomers are reaching their mid-70s, and as they choose to retain more independence through at-home care, demand for personal support workers will clearly skyrocket.
Thinking about enrolling in a personal support worker program? The Academy of Learning College offers the skills and training that will put you in demand.
The Academy of Learning College has been providing quality training for in-demand careers for over 25 years. We know the right education and skillset can make all the difference when it comes to launching a successful career.
Here at Albion College, we offer a Personal Support Worker diploma that’s designed to give you the job-ready training you’ll need. From administering basic first aid to developing and assisting with coping techniques for ongoing conditions, our PSW course will teach you the skills you need to enter the long-term care industry. Contact us today.
