Improving working conditions in home care services

A guide to good organizational practices aimed at improving the quality of home care and home support services (HCS) jobs has just been published by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST). Developed by members of two research teams, the IRSST in Québec and the Service de psychologie du travail of the Université de Mons in Belgium, this project was funded by the 5th permanent joint board on cooperation between Québec - Wallonia-Brussels.

Based on several data sources and observation of real-life work in Québec and Belgium, the research used for the guide was carried out in close cooperation with actual caregivers. It led to recommendations to improve the working conditions, better prevent OSH risks and raise the status of occupations traditionally held by women.

Intended for everyone involved, especially employers, the guide provides paths to good organizational practices. It emphasizes the coordination of the players necessary so that each knows exactly what he or she should do, including tasks not under the responsibility of HCS personnel. This should be explained to the clients and those around them from the start of the case management process. A reciprocal contract of proper care could even be signed by the HCSs and their clients. Several OSH problems related to awkward postures can be solved by involving home care and home support workers (HCW) in setting up the home work environment, particularly by installing hand showers, grab bars and non-slip mats. Stabilizing work situations by avoiding frequent changes in employees' clients and allowing a certain latitude in work route management will increase the satisfaction of both the workers and the clients. Demanding cases can be split among several workers. The guide also recommends multi-disciplinary collaboration through formal and informal meetings, continuous training adapted to clients' changing profiles, knowledge sharing and organizing the induction and integration of newcomers into the work environments.

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AplusA-online.de - Source: Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST)