A Letter of Concern by the Lifeshare (Homeshare) Providers of Community Living

To whom it may concern,

This letter has been compiled with concerns raised by full-time Lifeshare (Homeshare) providers and respite providers of Grimsby/Lincoln Community Living.  

The Ministry of Community and Social Services is not funding this extremely vital program accordingly.

Personally, I have been affiliated with the GLWL Community Living Lifeshare program for approximately 12 years.  I began by providing overnight respite services for 3 years, and then began hosting full-time.  

As advocates for individuals with exceptionalities for 23 years, it brings us such pride and purpose to provide a family environment within a loving home for the individual we support through Lifeshare.  

To refer to this individual as a client is quite bizarre, as she is very much a part of our family.  Our dynamic allows for her to feel confident and proud.  She is an extremely happy and loving young woman who deserves a wonderful life surrounded by love and encouragement.

As Lifeshare hosts, we get to observe the growth within our clientele/family.  We get to witness new vocabulary arise, skills become accomplished, and goals reached. We also see through heavy tears of frustration or sadness.  We are their comfort zone, and they are ours.  We mentor, provide therapeutic rapport, and give opportunities for inclusion every single day.  

Clientele within these Lifeshare settings often require full assistance within their day to day routine, with areas such as hygiene, diet, physical mobility, etc.  Some families run their washer and dryer every single day to clean soiled bedding.  Some families must spot clean furniture or flooring because of incontinence accidents.   

Lifeshare hosts provide this level of care because they want to.  They have big hearts, strive to make a difference, and want to allow for new life experiences.  They provide home cooked healthy meals to ensure a balanced diet is maintained, and encourage healthy lifestyles.  Our clients/family have the right to healthy living and well-being that cannot be achieved with a poorly funded Lifeshare Program and Ontario Disability Support Program. 

Our questions and concerns are regarding the current rate of pay for room and board.  

This past year, we were unable to receive respite several times because Community Living simply does not have enough providers.  Family’s are no longer signing up for this program, because the compensation for room and board is extremely low.

The daily rate of pay for room and board within the association is not in compliance with today’s cost of living.  With inflation at a record high, and thankfully decreasing slowly, the cost of groceries has become incredibly concerning for Canadian citizens.  Financial stress is pouring over family’s across the country.

Eating smart and healthy was not extremely affordable before inflation skyrocketed, but it was somewhat manageable.   

How are we, as Lifeshare hosts, expected to provide a nutritious meal plan to our family members while working with a daily rate that has not been increased in approximately seven years?   

Mortgage and rental rates have increased dramatically resulting in the possibility of unaffordability.  Natural gas, hydro, and water rates have increased immensely.  Quite simply, the cost of living is at a record high, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services chooses to ignore this, causing Community Living’s Lifeshare program to go underfunded, and allow individuals who rely on ODSP funding to struggle financially. 

The current cost of necessities required for room and board are way over the financial allotment that is crucial to carrying out the Lifeshare program.  It is almost impossible to provide proper care for our families in accordance with the Lifeshare contract with outdated compensation.  The Ministry needs to increase the funding allotted to the Community Living Lifeshare Program.   

Inflation has made this program become a financial burden, which is heartbreaking.  

This outdated daily rate of pay is insulting to the individuals we support, and the families who have opened their home to dedicate their time and energy to providing the utmost compassionate care. 

What we hear from this lack of increase is that those who we support do not matter.  

They do.  They matter in ways that our The Ministry of Community and Social Services will never comprehend.  

We are the Lifeshare (Homeshare) providers, demanding a change, so those we support may live a healthy life.