Home Support workers should always start each shift by asking the questions…
“What can I do for you today?”
“What would you like done first?”
“What is a priority for you?”
To follow is a list of some of the task and responsibilities of a typical Home Support worker. It is not an all-inclusive list; but rather a general guideline to ensure clients can maintain a high quality of living in the comfort of their own home:
- Companionship
- Assisting with Medications (Must be delegated and signed off by Register Nurse)
- Assisting with various tasks to make client more comfortable
- Meal preparation
- Personal care
- Household Management- dusting, making beds, vacuuming, sweeping/mopping of floors, Cleaning dishes & washrooms, laundry, garbage disposal
- Home Support works schedules and duties are client specific and as such each client has various levels of care. If a Home Support Worker is unsure of what task to be doing or has any concerns as to if they should be doing something they are to contact the office for clarification.
Examples of some duties that are NOT within the scope of a typical Home Support Workers responsibility are:
- Assisting with medication, unless delegated by Registered Nurse
- Foot Care which involves cutting finger nail and/or toe nails
- Paying bills or completing financial tasks
- Lifting objects in excess of 20 lbs id moving furniture
- Spring Cleaning i.e Scrubbing walls, windows, cabinets, ceilings, floors, light fixtures, getting up on ladders/chairs
- Shampooing carpet
- Outdoor chores- such as mowing lawns, painting, shovelling snow
- Doing repairs and maintenance on property
When in doubt- call the office for direction!
Home Support workers have the right; and the obligation; to refuse any task that they feel is unsafe!
