Inside the Circle – December 9, 2025

Please note: Enrolling with the new HSCPOA is completely voluntary. Circle of Care remains neutral, and we do not require PSWs to register. We’re sharing this information so you can decide what’s best for you.

How to Renew (quick and online):
Starting February 1, 2026:

1. Log into your HSCPOA PSW registrant profile and click “Renew.”

2. Review and update your profile (contact info, employment details).

3. Fill out the renewal form. It asks about your personal care provider education and work history, if applicable.

There is no renewal fee right now.

Important: If you don’t renew by March 31 each year, you’ll need to reapply. This includes submitting a criminal record check completed within the last 12 months.

If you have any questions, email registration@hscpoa.com.

Westbound On-ramp Closed from Park Lawn Rd to the Gardiner Expressway

• When: November 2025 – April 2026
• TTC/Traffic Changes: The westbound on-ramp from Park Lawn Road to the Gardiner Expressway will be fully closed.

Southbound Off-ramp of the DVP Closed to Richmond Street

• When: Until Spring 2026
• TTC/Traffic Changes: The southbound off-ramp of the DVP to Richmond Street remains closed until spring 2026.

Just a friendly reminder to take a few minutes to complete the Global Workforce Survey. It’s your chance to share your thoughts about your workplace. Your feedback helps us learn what’s going well and what we can make even better.

The survey is anonymous (your name will not be shared). Thank you in advance for your participation!

Please complete the survey as soon as possible.

Your safety is very important, especially outside during the winter months. Snow and ice can make walking dangerous.

Please keep these tips in mind:

1. Keep your hands out of your pockets when you walk. You’ll be able to catch yourself in case you slip and fall.
2. Dress appropriately for the amount of time you’ll be spending outside. Keep your head covered and wear layers of insulating fabrics (like wool). Don’t leave skin exposed in extreme temperatures and change clothing as soon as possible if it gets wet.
3. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to where you step and avoid uncleared sidewalks or roads.
4. Make eye contact with approaching drivers and cyclists before crossing the road. 
5. Wear bright reflective clothing at night or during poor visibility, like fog.
6. Please don’t text while walking.

With temperatures dropping, now is the time to prepare for winter weather!

Make sure that you have emergency supplies in your home in case of storms and power outages, including non-perishable foods, water, and safe ways to stay warm.

If you drive, you should also create an emergency kit to keep in your car. 

Useful items to have in your kit include:

• Road maps
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Properly fitting tire chains
• Bag of sand, salt, or kitty litter
• Tow rope
• Traction mats
• Booster cables
• Extra windshield wiper fluid
• Roll of paper towels
• Matches and emergency candles
• Road maps
• ‘Call police’ or other help signs or brightly covered banners

Whether at home or on the road, make sure you are prepared for winter storms and other emergencies! Visit the government resource below to learn more.

To ensure your safety, this is a friendly reminder that you are not permitted to lift clients or anything over 5 kg.

To learn more about our No Lift Policy, read the full document using the button below.

Being a caregiver can affect your own health and well-being, as well as your relationships with family and friends. Taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for clients you support. When you prioritize your own well-being, you’re better able to deliver high-quality care and maintain balance in your personal life.

Caregivers often experience stress and burnout, but you can take these steps to reduce your risk:

Eat right – Balanced nutrition is essential for 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 making sure you get 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.

If you drive for work, Perkopolis has a great deal through Shell.

Members save 3¢ per litre on fuel and get 10% off car washes and in-store purchases at participating locations. For a limited time, you can also get an extra $8 off an Ultimate Car Wash after your first fuel purchase made through the Shell app.

Visit the Perkopolis website below to learn more.

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

• Ruth Eze
• Ngozi Nwagbara
• Himani Patel
• Katreena Venezuela
• Soriyah Dakin
• Swapna Visa
• Sherri Man-On
• Arshdeep Kaur Dhaliwal
• Thi Vinh Trinh (Sam) Nguyen
• Manisha Kulchania
• Nelly Omwando
• May Grantoza
• Rutvika Sarode
• Panagiota (Patricia) Tsolis
• MiIlicent Owusu
• Ekemena Okpeka
• Senniesha Bennett-Peart
• Florinda Omari
• Prisca Agbor
• Shruti
• Caroline Nyangersi
• Shenice Bruce
• Lailani Pasalo
• Tolulope Olowo-okere
• Rani Costa
• Ritika Sharma
• Amyka Leween

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.

High Fives for PSW Anantika Kohli

“I’m very happy with our PSW. She is very knowledgeable in dementia care and engages in a meaningful and supportive way.” – Client’s daughter

“Anantika is fantastic. She engages respectfully, making us feel comfortable and valued.” – Client’s daughter

High Five for PSW Michelle Ollivierre

“Michelle is the perfect fit. We want to have her scheduled as our regular PSW as often as possible.” – Client’s mother

High Five for PSW Beth Kasemiire

“I’m very happy with Beth. I appreciate that she stayed a little longer to ensure I got downstairs safely for my Wheel-Trans pickup.” – Client

High Five for PSW Cherisha Samuels

“I’m having a great experience with Cherisha. She is very caring from the moment she arrives.” – 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.