Dear Editor:
My father was discharged from a local hospital on Dec. 17.
When discharged he signed a contract with the LHIN/Healthcare at Home/CCAC (there name has changed so much over the last few years) for eight hours of PSW service a day (the LHIN/CCAC/ Healthcare at Home get you to sign the contract – well actually a 76-year-old senior – with an outside service provider).
We asked knowing that we are in a PSW shortage/healthcare crisis will there be many days PSWs do not show up. The discharge planner said they may not show up due to bad weather or sick days.
Well, since Dec. 17 my father has had about 14 PSWs in to do those eight-hour shifts (he is supposed to receive these service as he is on the crisis list for LTC and their are no available beds).
It is now Jan. 24. I have called and lodged a complaint with the LHIN/CCAC/Healthcare at Home. My complaint is why not be honest and tell the family that a PSW may not show up for weeks due to the PSW shortage. Why does the discharge planner promote a program when they know their are no PSWs to provide the service?
My mom has caregiver burnout, my father has Parkinson’s dementia and I have been his primary care provider since his discharge (I also work a full-time job in health care). I am fine with providing him care as he is my father but I question where is all the money that is allocated for my father’s care going?
Why do they not pay me and I would gladly quit my job to provide care for him. I am seeking other family members whose loved one has had missed care from the PSW services promised by the LHIN/CCAC/Healthcare at Home.
I know there are many of you out there whose loved one is not getting promised care service provided after hospital discharge. Please reach out to me fromthevalley10@hotmail.com I would love to hear from you.
This system has been broken for many years and needs to be changed. How many seniors are going home that do not have a voice like me (advocating for their parents)?
How many seniors have been sitting at home for weeks with no care, no check in, no showers?
We need to make our voice heard about a broken system that has not worked for years.
Cindy Webster,
Grand Valley