Inside the Circle – July 22, 2025

We’re proud to share a new video featuring our senior leadership and partners, showcasing our shared vision and collaborative approach to innovative, person-centred care. This is a celebration of the impact we make every day to help seniors live independently and with dignity across the GTA. Take a moment to watch and feel inspired by the future we’re building together.

You can find step-by-step instructions for accessing your paystub in Dayforce on the Payroll page.

If you’re having trouble accessing the site, you can also view the instructions as a PDF here. 

Appointments must be booked through our vendor, First Aid Care, and can be booked online or by calling 905-272-9214. 

Text 647‑496‑5189 with the following details:

1. Full Name
2. Email Address
3. Training Location
4. Preferred Session Time

• Hydrate often – drink water before you’re thirsty.
• Dress smart – wear light, loose clothes and a hat.
• Avoid peak sun – stay in shade or go out early/late.
• Keep your home cool – close blinds during the day, open windows when it’s cooler outside.
• Cool down – use fans, take cool showers, or apply wet towels.
• Check on others – especially seniors or those at risk.
• Never leave people or pets in cars.
• Know the warning signs – dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion.
• Heat stroke = emergency – call 911 if someone is confused or unconscious.
• Find a cool space – search the Cool Spaces website.

Thinking about joining GoodLife Fitness, but want to try it out first? Great news! As part of our GoodLife corporate program, employees can access a free 3-day trial pass before committing. Just head to: GoodLife Trial Pass and enter your details.

Still thinking about it? Here are a few perks: 

• Access to 200+ clubs across Canada
• Group fitness classes for all levels
• Add up to 2 family members to your plan
• No enrolment fee + 25% corporate discount

Ready to get started?

• Rewards & Contests | GoodLife Fitness
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | GoodLife Fitness

Circle of Care employees are able to purchase discounted tickets to the CNE this summer (purchase by August 14 for 47% off).

To buy tickets: Canadian National Exhibition Tickets | AuthentiGATE

Access Code: 2025HH4M6F67

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) offers a free app called PainPoint, which helps you assess areas of discomfort and provides practical tips to reduce musculoskeletal strain. It’s a great starting point if you’re curious about body mechanics or want to prevent aches before they start.

Burnout builds slowly, especially when you’re always putting others first.

Signs to watch for:

• Constant exhaustion
• Loss of motivation
• More mistakes
• Feeling numb or irritable
• Getting sick more often

If you’re saying, “I’m just tired” or “I can’t slow down,” it might be time to pause.

What helps:

• Take breaks
• Talk to someone
• Do things you enjoy
• Move gently—stretch or walk

Support is Available
You can access free, confidential support through the Ontario Shores Health Care Worker Assist Program.

How to get support:

• Call: 1-877-767-9642
• Email: CentralizedReferral@ontarioshores.ca
• Sign up online: Ontario Shores Health Care Worker Assist Program

Looking to boost your knowledge on how to make healthier food choices or support others in doing so? Take Health Canada’s free, self-paced Nutrition Labelling Online Course—it takes 3 hours and you will receive a Certificate of Achievement!

What you’ll learn:

• How to read food labels in Canada.
• Understanding the Nutrition Facts table.
• Serving sizes and % Daily Value.
• Nutrition claims and ingredient lists.
• The new front-of-package nutrition symbol.

In dementia care, challenging behaviours can often be a way for individuals to express unmet needs or frustration.

This video explains why these behaviours occur and offers practical strategies for managing them with empathy and understanding.

When someone is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or going through a difficult time, listening with empathy can make a big difference. The way we show up and listen, especially when someone is experiencing mental health issues or in crisis, can help reduce tension and create a safe space for connection.

To learn more about how to listen to understand, check out a free learning module below.

We are pleased to welcome the following new PSWs to Circle of Care:

• Monica Kagwi
• Angela Atuloma
• Minakshi Subba
• Eniola Adeyemo
• Nisha Ghimire
• Kriti Karki
• Patricia Gyamfi
• Samiksha Bhandari
• Mainka
• Nancy Gallardo
• Theresa Gabunada
• Jufema May Raagas
• Phiona Babirye
• Precious Arowolo
• Kabibi Bolo
• Blessing Kaduru

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.

Why is it that some fully independent clients get visits every day, while some frail clients are not? 

Circle of Care offers different types of services. Each service is assessed, and hours are approved based on service requirements.  Some are funded hours and some are private pay.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the service hours of a specific client, please speak with your CSS.

Are PSWs allowed to walk with clients outside?  

PSWs are not permitted to walk clients outside without approval from your CSS. The client must be approved for this task, as some services are not permitted to walk clients outside, as well as some clients are not safe to be walking outside as there are many unknown fall hazards outside of the home.

You mean there are no more shower gowns being given? My client grabs me and I do not want to get wet.  

Plastic gowns are no longer provided as they are not a required Personal Protective Equipment. Please speak to your CSS about the specific client for alternative solutions available.

Does Circle of Care sponsor for LMIA? A friend of mine ask me the question but I have no response to give her.

Thank you for your question. Circle of Care can only hire people who are legally able to work in Canada already (they are either citizens, permanent residents, or have a valid work visa). We unfortunately do not sponsor people. Your friend would need to obtain a valid work visa in order to apply to work with us.

Circle of Care keeps messing with my schedule! My regular client complained they get different PSW every week without asking Circle of Care to change. As a PSW I looked like a liar to them because the office told them I’m not available to work, but in fact I’ve been working every time. This is unacceptable to be removing my regular client and giving it to another PSW!

We are not trying to keep clients from having their preferred PSWs. If you are available to take the visits, we would like to assign you to these visits. It’s possible you have not updated your availability for the Service Coordinator to see. There may also be a lack of communication between you and the client, where the client is not willing to change their visit time to accommodate the time slots when you would be available. You can either reach out to Alicia (x232) or Tariq (x256).

Being full-time employee with only 20-25 hours a week is unacceptable! You kept telling us speak to our coordinator and supervisor but they don’t do anything!!!

If you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with one of the Service Coordination Supervisors – Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

As per the policy, I understand that maintaining full time status requires completing 1300 hours per calendar year. However, despite providing full availability seven days a week, I consistently am receiving only 2-3 hours of work per day. Even after I communicated with my coordinator and expanded by availability to work in other regions outside my assigned area, I’m still not receiving enough hours. Could you please advise on the next steps to meet the required hours and maintain full time status.

If you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with one of the Service Coordination Supervisors – Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

I work as full time PSW but my numbers of hours per week is less than 20 hours. What is the best solution for this concern? Thank you very much.

As mentioned above, if you are not receiving enough hours, and have already spoken with your coordinator, you should escalate this so an investigation can be done to see if there are hours available in a nearby caseload. You can connect with one of the Service Coordination Supervisors – Alicia Pelletier (ext.232) or Tariq Shafi (ext. 256).

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.