Highlights from this week
- Send Us Your Recipes for Nutrition Month!
- Lost and Found at Reception
- Guiding Principles for using Person Centered Language
- DEI: Resources for Learning
- Upcoming Mask Fit and CPR Training
- Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
- Find Your Calm
- Take a Break with a Rejuvenating Massage
- Webinar: Navigating the Real Estate Market in 2025
- Slips Trips and Falls eLearning
- International Women’s Day: Strength in Every Story
- Welcome New Staff!
- Ask Us Anything
Send us your Recipes for Nutrition Month!
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March is Nutrition Month!
Got a healthy recipe that you love? Whether it’s a meal, a snack, or something quick and easy, we’d love to see it! Everyone who participates will be entered into a draw to win one of two $50 gift cards!
At the end of the challenge, we’ll put together a virtual recipe book with all the submissions so you can discover new ideas from your colleagues.
How to Enter:
- Send us a nutritious recipe that is
- 5-ingredients or less OR
- takes 10-minute or less to make
- Snap a photo of your creation to go with your recipe.
- Email your recipe and photo to HRDept@circleofcare.com by March 31st.
Key Dates:
- Submission Deadline: March 31
- Winners Announced: April 14
Get cooking, blending, or mixing, and send in your favourite recipe! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Reminders and Announcements
Lost & Found at Reception
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We’ve accumulated quite a few lost and found items since 2023. If you’re missing something, it might be here! Please check with reception to reclaim your belongings.
Guiding Principles for using Person Centered Language
When you are working with your clients, it is important to be aware the language that you are using.
When speaking to clients, make sure that you are using Person Centered Language (PCL). This means speaking without judgement or bias, being specific, and being respectful to the client. Watch this video to learn more!
DEI: Resources for Learning
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Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee has curated a list of recommended books, podcasts, and other resources to enhance your learning on DEI related topics.
We also have a DEI e-learning catalog in Dayforce. You can self-enroll in these courses anytime!
Health and Safety
Upcoming Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
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Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training? Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.
Important reminders:
- Arrive 15 minutes before the CPR training or mask fit session begins.
- Try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled. If you need to make any scheduling arrangements after you have booked your session, speak to your Service Coordinator.
- Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for you to attend the session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
- You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) and 1 hour for mask fit. These hours will be added to your schedule and paid out 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed. They will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’.
- Manage your bookings or cancellations through the online portal.
- You will receive a confirmation email/text notification when you book your session and a session reminder.
Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!
You can also book by calling 905-272-9214
Wellness at Work
Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
Being a caregiver can have an impact on your own health and wellness, as well as your relationships with family and friends.
Caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your clients. Prioritizing your well-being helps you provide the best care while maintaining balance in your personal life.
Caregivers often face stress and burnout, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:
- Eat right – Balanced nutrition is essential to keeping up your energy throughout long shifts and physically demanding tasks.
- Exercise – Moving your body, even for short periods, can help relieve stress, prevent injury, and boost your overall strength.
- Sleep – It may be difficult to get 7-9 hours of rest, especially with changing schedules, but prioritizing quality sleep is key to staying resilient and alert at work.
- Connect – Finding someone to talk to, whether a co-worker, family member, or support group, helps prevent feelings of isolation and stress.
- Set boundaries – Try to separate work and personal time. Focus on ‘work when you work,’ ‘give care when caregiving,’ and ‘rest when you rest.’
- Prioritize – Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Focus on what’s most important each day to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
- Make time for your own health needs – Just as you encourage your clients to take care of themselves, remember to check in with your own healthcare provider to stay strong and well.
Taking small steps to care for yourself ensures that you can continue providing the best support to others while maintaining your own well-being.
Find Your Calm
Soothing sounds can help get you relaxed and ready to rest. Check out CMHA and Little Symphony’s soothing Spotify playlist or explore guided meditations and sleep aids with the Calm App.
Take a Break with a Rejuvenating Massage!
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We’re bringing back our relaxing massage session! Enjoy a 15-minute massage from a registered massage therapist and take some time to unwind.
Sign up for a free session between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8 in Boardroom A.
Learning in Action
Webinar: Navigating the Real Estate Market in 2025
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Join RBC’s expert advisors for an information session and discussion about the real estate market in 2025.
Whether you are a prospective buyer, seller, or someone who currently has a mortgage and is looking for advice, this session will offer you insights on financial planning, mortgages, & the real estate market.
Guest Speakers:
- Gurnek (Nick) Bassi, Senior Mortgage Specialist
- David Robbio, Broker & Team Leader, Robbio Realty Group
- George Tsvetanov, CFP, RBC Financial Planner
Click on the date to register for an upcoming session:
Slips, Trips, and Falls (STF) Prevention eLearning
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Slips, trips, and falls (STF) are among the most common causes of workplace injuries.
To help everyone stay informed, prevent injuries, and reinforce key safety practices, all employees who have not yet completed the Slips, Trips, & Falls Prevention eLearning module should do so by April 2025. If you already completed the module in 2024, this is a great chance to review and refresh your knowledge.
To access the module:
- Log into Dayforce
- Go to the ‘Learning’ tab
- Select ‘Courses Catalogue’ at the top
- Enroll in the STF Prevention module
Community Corner
International Women’s Day 2025: Strength in Every Story
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This year, Canada’s IWD theme celebrates the power of women’s stories—stories of resilience, innovation, and impact.
At Circle of Care, women form the backbone of our organisation and the care economy. From our leadership team to front-line staff, women fuel our vital work supporting seniors and families. We are proud of the strength, resilience, and leadership women bring to Circle of Care every day!
Thank you for making an immeasurable impact on our community!
Learn About Women’s Impact in Canada
Explore the stories of Canadian women who have made a lasting impact across various fields. From journalism and sports to politics and advocacy, these women have paved the way for future generations with their courage and dedication.
Attend the IWD Panel Discussion
Join the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) for an engaging International Women’s Day Panel Discussion featuring gender equity advocates and experts. This panel will explore collective responsibilities in creating a world free of gender oppression and violence, emphasizing intersectionality and equity-centered perspectives.
- Date: March 11, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
- Hosted by: Viktória Belle
Welcome to our New Staff
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Circle of Care welcomes our newest PSWs!
- Gladys Hizon
- Eron Nakku
- Shobha Thapa
- Novalyn Arellano
- Emilie Ogean
- Ethel Ekeanyanwu
- Leonora Angana
- Betsy Gitungo
- Bernadate Nansamba
- Smita Singha
- Leona Ernst
- Afisha Quashie
- Saba Shabani
- Olajumoke Akindipe
- Nevilita Fabi
- Elizabeth Iyun
- Cathy Nakimera
- Tetiana Prodius
- Girmanesh Gebreslase
- Franklina Osei-Donkor
High Five!
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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.
Ask Us Anything
Why can’t I request for shower gowns? These protect clothing from getting wet while giving showers to clients.
The blue shower gowns are not classified as required personal protective equipment (PPE) and have been removed from our ordering system. The required PPE includes masks, yellow gowns, gloves, and goggles or face shields. For any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your CSS.
I am wondering how some PSWs are able to log in and log out at their homes. Recently, I’ve heard from some coworkers that they got a new phone and that they were able to do this. I believe this is extremely unfair to not only fellow PSWs but also to the clients. How is this possible with all the new technology?
The system is designed to ensure that PSWs are at the client’s registered address when checking in and out. However, variations in how this is experienced can occur due to factors such as proximity to the client’s location.
To better understand and investigate this matter, we would need more details regarding the specific client or worker involved in the check-in and check-out process.
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.