Personal Support Work and Home Care in Ontario during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Overview
abstract
Background
Governments introduced emergency measures to address the shortage of homecare workers and unmet care needs in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective
This article aims to describe how policies impacted home care and identifies the potential risks for clientele and staff.
Method
Experts in home care (n = 15) were interviewed about policies that affect health and safety for homecare recipients.
Results
New recruitment strategies, condensed education and rapid hiring during the pandemic did not lead to the recruitment of sufficient workers, but increased the potential for recruitment of unsuitable workers or workers with little training.
Conclusion
It is important to consider the unintended effects of emergency policy measures and to manage the effects of such policies on homecare clients.
