Caregivers in New Brunswick transition houses, group homes, women’s shelters and specialized care are speaking out against what they call a system that lacks organization and structure.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees launched a campaign entitled “Who Cares?” focused on getting the provincial government to look into the community care service sector.
“It’s hard to work and have changes made without stability,” said campaign spokesperson Julie Doucet. “And without the same staff working and working and working.”
Doucet says the low pay and lack of benefits keeps many would-be caregivers from entering the community care service sector, responsible for special care homes as well as in home care.
And the difficult nature of the profession provides for frequent turnover, resulting in poorly trained staff.
“Mentally it can be hard sometimes so you need proper training,” said home care provider Josee Maillais.
Community care service workers believe that including their sector along with government run programs would do wonders for improving their situation.
Closing gaps that exist and creating a framework across the board that clearly depicts the standard of work expected from caregivers.
“We’re working right beside nurses sometimes or with youth,” explained Doucet. “It’s social development, so it’s right beneath them, so why can we not affiliate?”
In a statement the Department of Social Development said they invested more than $10 million last year to increase the wages of human services’ sector workers.
“Our government is aware of the challenges and opportunities that New Brunswick faces when it comes to our aging population, and has worked hard to support community care workers in the province,” the statement reads.
The department added they “continue to work closely with seniors and stakeholders through the Council on Aging in order to bring forward new opportunities and ideas in a comprehensive long-term strategy for the province.”