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Highlights from this week

  • Happy PSW Day – Celebrating You
  • Register for Circle of Care’s Tropical Summer Vibes Staff Party!
  • Reminder: Help Us Improve Hand Hygiene Practices
  • Cycle of Escalating Cooperative Behaviour
  • Enjoy Exclusive Discounts with Perkopolis
  • Grief and Loss: Support Zoom Session
  • Understanding Burnout
  • Ask Us Anything

Happy PSW Day – Celebrating You

Yesterday was PSW Day, a special occasion dedicated to celebrating you and the incredible work you do. In the days leading up to this celebration, we invited you to share what you love most about being a PSW, and here are a few of your inspiring quotes.

“As a PSW, we make a difference in our clients’ lives. We especially support those who are elderly, ill, or disabled, helping them maintain dignity and comfort. Knowing that our care truly matters is fulfilling. Being a PSW also brings personal growth, as every day is different.” – Mariam

“I love supporting clients with their daily needs, helping them maintain their independence, and improving their quality of life. Building strong relationships with clients and their families is rewarding, and I enjoy being a part of their care team.” – Gladys

“What I love most about being a PSW is giving quality care to my clients daily and ensuring that they feel comfortable, satisfied, and safe at the end of my shift. I also self-check or backtrack my daily activities with my clients to ensure that all missions are completed, and that makes me feel good about being a PSW.” – Edith

“Being able to care for someone and assist them to make their life easier, is what I love most about being a PSW.” – Esther

“What I love most about being a PSW is being useful to people who need help.” – luliia

Thank you to all PSWs for your unwavering dedication and compassion—you make a meaningful difference every day!

Click the video below to listen to Vice President Andrea David as she speaks about PSW Day:

Reminders & Announcements

Register for Circle of Care’s Tropical Summer Vibes Staff Party!

Join Circle of Care’s Annual Party with a live DJ, sit-down dinner, spacious mingling area, and exciting prizes! Connect with colleagues from all departments at this fun-filled event! The event will take place on June 24, from 5 PM to 9 PM at The Warehouse Venue – 35 Carl Hall Rd #2, North York, ON M3K 2B6.

You must register by Friday, June 13!

Register Here!

Reminder: Help Us Improve Hand Hygiene Practices

Please take a few minutes to complete our annual hand hygiene survey! Your feedback helps us keep everyone healthy.

Complete Survey Here

Health & Safety

Cycle of Escalating Cooperative Behaviour

You can use this simple guide to help navigate tense situations with care.

Wellness at Work

Enjoy Exclusive Discounts with Perkopolis

Did you know Circle of Care employees have free access to Perkopolis, a platform offering 5,000+ discounts on shopping, entertainment, travel, and more? Signing up is quick and easy!
Sign Up Here

Watch this short video to learn how YOU can benefit and save with Perkopolis.

Grief and Loss: Support Zoom Session

close up of hands holding a heart icon
You are invited to a session facilitated by Your Health Space (YHS) on Dealing with Grief & Loss.
This session will explore how grief impacts you, strategies for managing personal grief, and the 4-R model. 
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Meeting ID: 865 8503 7264
Passcode: 601924

Understanding Burnout

Feeling burnt out? You’re not alone. Burnout is more than just being tired from a long day. This short video explains what true burnout feels like:
  • Feeling drained even after resting
  • Being easily frustrated with people you care for
  • Wondering if your hard work is making any difference
Please take a few minutes to watch and learn a few simple tips to take care of yourself.

Community Corner

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

Submit a High Five

Ask Us Anything

If you have concerns about a client/situation or questions about your role, we encourage you to contact your Client Services Supervisor.

If I am sick – like throwing up and headaches to the point I am dizzy because I am pregnant – it’s not my fault that I have to call in sick. Why am I getting in trouble for calling off? I don’t normally call off, it’s just the pregnancy.

You’re absolutely right to prioritize your health, especially during pregnancy. It’s completely understandable that symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and headaches can be unpredictable and overwhelming. We recognize that these are not things you can control and taking time off to rest and recover is important. We would recommend reporting to your Service Coordinator/CSS and/or Human Resources that you are having challenges with your pregnancy (if you haven’t already done so), and having your doctor provide a medical note indicating your pregnancy and the fact that you may need to miss work due to symptoms so we can add this to your file.

Is the Food Safety Certification mandatory? If so, where can we renew?

No, a Food Safety Certification is neither mandatory nor required for the PSW or Homemaker role.

I always have a change of shoes. But my shoes get soiled with feces and urine, as it’s all over the face basin and the ground. Even if I wash under my shoes, when I go to my next client it sticks to the ground. So what am I supposed to do?

We understand that working in the community can present some tough challenges, especially when it comes to cleanliness and maintaining infection control. Here are some tips to manage this type of situation:

  1. Keep an Extra Pair of Easy-to-Clean Shoes: Consider wearing a designated pair of waterproof, rubber-soled shoes (like Crocs) specifically for use inside clients’ homes. These can be easily disinfected between visits using disinfectant wipes or spray.
  2. Use Reusable Shoe Covers: Reusable, washable fabric shoe covers are available at many retailers and online. These can be worn over your shoes in the client’s home and then placed in a sealed bag after each use until they can be laundered.
  3. Use Sealable Plastic Bags: After a visit where shoes may have become soiled, place them in a sealable plastic bag or bin until you’re able to clean them. This prevents the spread of contaminants to your car or supplies.
  4. Raise the Concern with Your Supervisor: If certain client homes consistently have unsafe or unsanitary conditions, please report this to your CSS. There may be additional supports or interventions we can provide to help improve conditions for both you and the client.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.

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