News

• The NSHCA, in partnership with Cancer Care NS, is presenting a 20-hour Palliative Care Workshop on Sept 10, 14, 15 & 17 in Dartmouth. This workshop is mandatory for CCA students, but being non-technical in nature, it is invaluable for family caregivers. Discounts are available for members of Caregivers NS, CARP NS, Cancer Care NS and the Seniors College Association of NS. Learn more here.
• We Care Home Health Services has been chosen as one of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in Canada. We Care received this honour for its progressive workplace initiatives, including offering employees an open, participative and inclusive style of management, a rewards program personalized to the tastes of individual staff members, staff appreciation days, and frequent fundraising initiatives selected by employees. We Care will be recognized at the awards gala on November 15, 2011 in Toronto. [link]
• On Wednesday, June 15th, the staff of Annapolis Valley At Home Senior Care will be wearing purple ribbons, the colour of abuse awareness among older adults. Part of a company-wide education program on the signs of elder abuse, the campaign will coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is recognized annually around the world.
• 'Private home care fills big service gap for seniors' - Globe & Mail article, April 2011 [article]
• Award Winners!: CareForce (Kentville) won 2010 Outstanding New Business Award from the Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce. RoseDawn Helping Hands (Upper Stewiacke) won New Small Business of the Year Award from the Truro & District Chamber of Commerce.
• Personal Care Directives: Department of Justice [link]

 Upcoming Events

• Palliative Care Workshop: Sept 10, 14, 15 & 17 at Woodlawn Public Library, Dartmouth [link]

 Issues

• Dept of Labour: discussing Temporary Foreign Worker program and establishing definitions for some frequently-used labour terms.
• WCB Rates: we continue to meet with WCB. We were successful in suggesting a change to the rating system that have brought down the WCB rates for the sector in 2010.
• HST on Homemaker services: we continue to talk with CRA. We have produced a memo for members regarding when HST should and should not be charged to clients.
• CCA Program: under discussion with NSCC. We have spear-headed an initiative to recruit qualified Residential Care Aides from Jamaica.
• Group Benefits: under discussion.
• Professional Conduct: a memo has been distributed to members.
• Member Discipline Policy: a memo has been distributed to members.
• Member Reporting Policy: a memo has been distributed to members.
• Training for members' staff: periodic standardized staff training takes place throughout the year.
• The Real Cost of Public HomeCare: under discussion.