Working as a PSW amid the COVID-19 pandemic

By Charlene Papasodaro

The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—The emergence of COVID-19 has left a shortage of healthcare workers in the community, so some special people are stepping forward to help fill those holes as best they can. One of those people is Robin Marshall of Dunnville, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) with 33 years under her belt.

Marshall had actually retired as a PSW last June. However, she decided to return amid the pandemic. Marshall said there has always been a demand for PSWs in the community, however, now the need is even greater. It took about a month of watching news reports on the virus for Marshall to make the difficult decision to return to work.

“I’m good at what I do. If I can help, I’m going to help,” Marshall said. She has now started work in Haldimand and Norfolk at a company called Right at Home Canada, which offers in-home care. She is working part time as a PSW and a doctor’s office administrator, but plans to return to personal support work full time.

Marshall said she started out young, caring for family, and that she’s “always been a caregiver.” Though she’s worked in both community support and long-term care homes, Marshall prefers community care because she believes, “People should be able to remain at home as long as they possibly can, as long as it’s safe.”