"Home care workers need to be paid travel time"
I only need about 2 – 2 ½ hours a week. That 2 ½ hours a week over two separate days makes it possible for me to live in and active and fulfilling way. It is absolutely critical. I am engaged in a lot of anti-poverty groups, am an active volunteer, involved with community meals and take an interest in the outside world. I am very relieved this service is there.
My worker notices things and facilitates with things in my home to prevent accidents. A couple of these items probably would have caused me to have an accident.
Aren’t tax payers concerned about how their dollars are being spent? Without this kind of service, people would end up in long term care facilities more quickly and in the hospital more often.
I am in favour of enhancing this service which saves money, not to mention helping people with their personal well-being, and assisting them to have a social life and participate in community life. It allows people to fend for themselves as much as they possibly can. To maximize independence is key.
Expanding home care absolutely has to include paying workers for their travel time. These workers give up hours, time, use their own vehicles and pay for their own gas.
I hope the whole system will be granted the respect it deserves as equally important as emergency medicine and acute care. We have to support people to keep their independence as long as possible. That’s the only thing that works for everyone, including the taxpayer.
Dorothy Boddy
Peterborough