Michelle is a personal support worker (PSW) at Weston Terrace Community in York Region,
5 am – Rise and shine
I work the morning shift at Weston Terrace Community and am at work, ready to start at 6 am. I am not a breakfast person; I like to eat my first meal during my break. My husband drops me off, and I see my first resident to assist her with her morning routine. She's visually impaired, so she likes me to sing while I am with her. Unfortunately, I can't sing very well, so I hum instead! This resident is able to tell me how she would like to be cared for, so I follow her guidance to ensure she feels comfortable.
7 am – Getting ready to have a great day
My next resident I have been taking care of for three years. I love her and enjoy our mornings together. She’s fun and makes me laugh. Although she has some physical challenges, she has a wonderful sense of humour. We get along very well.
8 am - Lift and transfer champ
When she’s ready, I go over to the other home area and assist residents who require the support of two PSWs. I have the training to be a "lift and transfer champ." This means I know how to safely move patients who cannot do so independently, and I train other team members to have this skill set. The next resident I see needs us to be cautious. She experiences a lot of pain, but my teammate and I know how to keep her comfortable. I always remember what everyone needs and their preferences; it is the most important part of getting to know people and providing excellent care.
8:30 am - Breakfast
The dining room is bustling by now. I feed one resident during breakfast to ensure they get the proper nutrition. I like being able to spend time one-on-one with residents.
10 am – Time to refuel
By mid-morning, I am ready for my own breakfast. I take a coffee and a snack in our staff lounge area. I like to take this time to catch up with other team members.
Time 10:30 am – Resident engagement
After my break, I have time to engage with residents. For example, some residents enjoy getting their hair done; I will offer to braid their hair and talk to them for a little while. Then I might take other residents outside for a walk. During these activities, I get to know each person and learn about their life story. The mornings are busy, so before I know it, we are starting to prepare for lunch. I assist the same resident at lunchtime as I do at breakfast.
1:30 pm – Re-energizing with a walk
Depending on the weather, sometimes I like to take some time for myself and go for a little walk. It’s re-energizing to get outside.
2 pm – Sweet goodbye
There's one thing I have to do before I go home at the end of my shift and that’s visiting a resident from another home area who I don’t work one-on-one with. I check in to see how she's doing, and say hello. We both look forward to this pop-in at the end of my day. We have a little chat, and I feel good knowing I've checked in to see that she is doing ok. I have to do it – I can't miss stopping by, and I think she appreciates it too.