On the last Tuesday of June the Department of Health and Social Services recognizes Personal Support Workers (PSWs) for their important contribution to health care in the Northwest Territories.
NWT Personal Support Worker Day recognizes all Continuing Care workers. This includes Home Support Workers, Personal Care Aides and Resident Care Aides, who work in Long Term Care and hospitals, and Personal Outcome Support Workers, who work with those in need every day, assisting clients, mainly elders, to carry out the ordinary activities of everyday living.
The dedication and compassion of PSWs is at the heart of Continuing Care services. The one-to-one attention provided by PSWs enables people to remain living at home who might otherwise need to be in a Long Term Care facility, and improves the quality of life for those already in care. PSWs are professional care providers with the training and experience to collaborate with nurses and other health care providers to ensure their clients have quality and safe care. They also have an important role in our territory helping clients manage chronic conditions.
To celebrate the PSWs we have profiled several of our PSWs who embody this important role: