Many people see Yvonne Greaves as a maid.
Someone who goes into clients' homes to do a little dusting or vacuuming.But as a personal support worker (PSW), Greaves does so much more than that.Caring for the sick, the elderly, children with disabilities and the vulnerable, a typical day could see her bathing a 95-year-old woman, feeding an Alzheimer's patient, changing the clothes and sheets of an incontinent grandfather, providing a helping hand to a cancer patient receiving palliative care, helping a confused client count out their medication and even providing a shoulder to cry on for a relative overwhelmed by their loved one's illness.And with today's intense pressures on the health care system, she must provide this care in an hour before dashing off to tend to her next client."I think people think we (PSWs) are just men and women that go in an do a little bit of chores," said Greaves, a Willowdale resident."It isn't so, especially with more complex care (patients) coming into the community. We feed them, change them, make sure they are comfortable, remind them of their medications. My heart goes out (to them). I love people. I'm really, truly a people person. I go in professionally with a kind heart, ready to serve, even if it's for one day."Greaves, who often forms long-term bonds with her clients, was part of a delegation of PSWs that went to Queen's Park Wednesday, May 19 to hear MPPs declare Ontario's first-ever Personal Support Worker Day in the legislature.The initiative recognizes the importance of PSWs in sustaining the health care system by providing a high quality of community and home-based care."I feel today we have the recognition we deserve," Greaves said Wednesday.. "This is the only time they have come forward to say (informally) they will recognize us as an essential service. It is left to be seen where they are going with this. Even being recognized is something."The delegation met with Health Minister Deb Matthews and other MPPs to discuss the state of Ontario's home care system and the need for training and education standards across the province.Greaves would like to see three main changes to the home care sector: an end to the competitive bidding process so vulnerable clients don't lose their PSWs if their employer loses a contract; a standardized PSW system; and a boost in the number of hours PSWs can spend with clients.A home care worker for 26 years, back when they were known as homemakers, Greaves used to see two clients a day. Now, she must rush to see six or seven.Greaves, mother of two adopted children and a grandmother of two, has always been interested in helping people.When she was a teenager in Guyana, her mother died. As the third eldest of 11 children and the eldest girl, much of the care of her siblings fell to her.Greaves, who loves caring for children and the elderly, was also always helping seniors in her community."Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately, my mother died and I didn't have the opportunity. I like hands-on care. I'm not married so this is my fulfillment in my life," she said."When I was growing up, the community is a huge family. Anybody who needs help, we go and volunteer help. Even before the death of my mother, she was bringing herself to help. I'm very close with my clients. After having been with them for many years, we have bonded."