Home care dictated by dollars, not needs, MGEU says
'There isn't time' to treat people with dignity and respect, union says
The union representing public sector home care workers in Manitoba says pressure on the system is growing.
"The referral numbers are climbing every day, they're drastically increasing," Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union said.
"The joke is that the silver tsunami is on its way or it's here," she said.
Gawronsky said frustrations with the system, recently experienced by a 91-year-old Winnipeg woman, are not uncommon.
"They would not allow me to take a shower," Grunfeld said. "She was not allowed to remind me of taking the medication. She was not allowed to give me a glass of water to take my medication," she said.
Grunfeld said she was later assessed by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and told she was not eligible for home care because of her mobility.
Care dictated 'by the dollar factor'
Gawronsky said home-care workers face questions every day from clients about what services they can and can't provide.
She said workers have to perform their tasks in less time than they used to and rules around care are stricter now.
Gawronsky said years ago workers could do some cooking for clients, but said now it's only 'heat and serve'.
"Care is now dictated by the dollar factor," she said. "It's not dictated by the needs of the clients anymore."
"There just isn't the time there to be able to treat these people with the dignity and the respect that they deserve," she said.
A new home care leadership team was announced by the province in August to respond to concerns about home care delivery, raised in a report by the auditor general.
Gawronsky said she was hopeful that process would lead to improved care.