Realities of Senior Care - A PSW's Take

I had the opportunity to interview a passionate, experienced personal support worker, Chandrakantha Thanukkody. She possesses an immense passion for her field and carries out her duties with an admirable level of empathy.

She has worked as a personal support worker (PSW) for over a decade. Prior to starting her career, she was a caregiver for her father and mother-in-law. She draws on her personal experience to ensure she provides the best possible care to her clients.

She maintains a consistent routine with regular clients, with 15-minute intervals between clients. She has been working with these clients for over five years. Throughout these years, she has developed a strong relationship with these clients. They treat her as family, and the feelings are reciprocated.

"Our agency provides us with detailed profiles for each client; we are informed not to go beyond the listed tasks," says Thanukkody. Each client profile possessed the listed tasks that the PSW will be required to complete, along with any restrictions. The listed tasks can range from “bathing assistance to feeding. The restrictions act as a safety measure for the PSW and the client, preventing overexertion and any potential injuries.

“There is one client who is marked as ‘no lifting’ due to his weight. Hence, our supervisor informed the agency that no personal support workers can be scheduled until the family installs an electric lift.” These precautions help sustain passionate workers in the service field. “The supervisor will check in every six months for each client and upon request. They will monitor our routine and determine whether the client requires additional services or whether they can begin to wean off.”

There can be instances of temporary clients who may require services as they recover from an injury or illness. Hence, they will require more regular visits and assessments. The PSW may be required to help with physical therapy and remind them to take their medication. PSWs help with a wide range of tasks; they bathe seniors, do their hair, assist with laundry, remind them to take their medication, assist with their physical therapy, take out their trash, and act as an emotional support.

There are many different perspectives towards caregiving, but I found Thanukkody‘s perspective to be truly beautiful. “If we see our clients like our parents, the job becomes a lot more fulfilling.” Her statement showed me the dedication and commitment to her job. She mentions there can be a few individuals who enter the field with the prime goal of earning money. The heavily packed schedule and physical labour can become tiresome.  However, Thanukkody aspires to keep her clients as happy and healthy as possible.

She thoroughly enjoys her job and takes pleasure in helping those around her. When asked what the most difficult task of the routine was, she responded, "The most difficult task would be bathing assistance; we have to make sure our clients are comfortable and happy”. I found her response a little surprising, as she didn’t seem too concerned about the task itself, but rather to ensure the maximum comfort for her clients.

Thanukkody shares how she enjoys a busy lifestyle, and her schedule feels manageable, but everyone differs. She mentions how the support of her client’s family and agency ensured flexibility. “They would help me transfer and transport clients.” She possesses a strong network consisting of fellow PSWs, a few of whom are senior to her. They share tips to prevent injuries and establish clear boundaries with the clients.

“I have a friend who is a veteran in the field, and I can ask her any question... she gives me tips and reminds me not to attempt carrying heavy clients, etc.” Her network allows her to clarify any questions and learn more tips to simplify tasks.  

Thanukkody shares many insightful experiences, and her empathy allows her to provide the best care possible. However, she ensures that she maximizes the resources available to her. She updates client case files as needed, noting when safety measures are not taken or when she requires a visit for her supervisor. Moreover, she possesses her support system that allows her to reach her maximum potential.

Our conversation enhanced my respect for all personal support workers, true heroes who often go unrecognized. Her empathy and dedication towards her career and her clients make you hope for more similar support workers.

Her empathy and dedication are great drivers, motivating her to provide the best for her clients. There are two crucial factors for all caregivers: empathy allows you to connect with clients, and dedication allows you to persist through tiresome schedules. However, it is important to find the balance of exhibiting empathy for others and taking care of yourself.

It is a common struggle amongst caregivers. Thanukkody was able to provide detailed routines for clients, but provided minimal details for her personal routine. This lack of response can indicate a lack of self-care, which can lead to potential burnout.

However, she maximizes the support of her network and agency. She ensures to ask questions to her peers and report any new findings to her agency. These habits allow her to stay updated within the field and prevent any accidents.

You can learn more about the work of Thanukkody and other support workers on her agency's website: https://spectrumhealthcare.com/about/

AI Tools and Prompts

Opening Image Prompt

Created usingGPT Image 1, Nano Banana, Seedream 4.0, and FLUX.1. 

Prompt: “generate an image of a female making coffee in their scrubs”

Electric Lift Image Prompt

Created usingGPT Image 1, Nano Banana, Seedream 4.0, and FLUX.1. 

Prompt: “generate an image of an electric lift helping a senior”