Doug Ford has recently decided to give PSWs a $3 wage increase. Which is a great thing, except he has chosen not to include PSWs working in retirement care settings.

Doug Ford has decided that retirement care is not important- yet PSWs in this sector strongly disagree with this notion. There is currently a growing crisis for older Ontarians, there is just no room in long term care for them right now. The waitlist for some homes can be more than 5 years. People need care NOW. These seniors end up in retirement homes, which lack the resources, staff, and equipment to handle their needs. There is nowhere else for them to go. 

15 years ago the idea of someone in a retirement community being bedridden and palliative would have been outrageous. Now it is the new normal. 

When you loved one is isolated, bed bound, palliative, it is us holding their hand. We get hit, spit on, verbally abused. We take time out of our days to sit with people, and comfort them when its Christmas, Easter, their birthday, and they are all alone. 

We put ourselves and our families at risk to care for seniors during a pandemic.

This idea of providing a wage increase for community care and long term care but NOT retirement is also dangerous. Many retirement homes are already battling with low staffing rates, and by refusing the increase for this sector, many graduating PSWs will not give retirement employment a second glance. Doug Ford is actively contributing to a crisis with his actions. 

Help us tell Doug Ford that he cannot disrespect retirement home PSWs any longer.