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GEM Healthcare Services > Articles by: admin
young female professional doctor giving consultation asian senior couple with using tablet computer in the room
Family, Home care

Key questions to ask when looking for a home health care company

When you realize you need caregiving support for yourself or a loved one, it can be a stressful time. Asking the right questions as you talk with service providers can help you get the answers you need to make the best decision for your unique circumstances. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions GEM receives on a regular basis along with the corresponding answers we provide.

How long has your company been in business?


GEM has been providing trusted, reliable home health care services for over thirty years. We are a family-owned business offering care services to individuals seeking personal support, nursing care (via RNs and RPNs) as well as home support and companionship. Our corporate motto, our family for yours, encapsulates our commitment to providing the best, most compassionate care possible. We are fully licensed and active, accredited members of the Canadian Home Care Association and Home Care Ontario.

How quickly are you able to arrange a caregiver placement?

Our experienced case managers will be able to quickly assess your needs via a telephone meeting or in-person visit, if necessary, before promptly matching you with a trained caregiver. Often this process can be completed within just a few days of your initial call to GEM.

How do you recruit staff?

We have numerous effective methods for recruiting reliable nursing professionals and personal caregivers including job fairs, focused advertising and more. All personnel are required to undergo a rigorous screening process and successfully complete a background check. Comprehensive on-the-job training is provided whenever necessary.

What are your processes for quality control and communication?

GEM has long-established, highly effective processes and quality control measures, including a robust case management system which facilitates monitoring the status of each client engagement. Any issues or concerns are communicated promptly to the client’s loved ones and proactive communication is undertaken regularly by GEM’s team as well. Our phones are staffed 24/7 so we can be reached at any time, should you have questions.

If the caregiver-client match proves incompatible, what happens next?

Our rigorous screening and matching process helps to ensure the best fit for each client’s care needs. However, in the very rare instances where it becomes necessary for us to find a new caregiver, we work quickly to place a new individual from among our large roster of care providers.

What services do you provide?

We provide a broad range of one-on-one home healthcare and personal support services in a variety of locations including clients’ private homes, retirement homes and institutional settings. Our clients range from infants to the very elderly. We also offer nursing care in the same locations. Our professional companion services are available to improve clients’ overall well-being, decrease feelings of isolation, and accompany them to appointments if needed. Please visit the services section of our website for more information or contact us for details.

What is the minimum shift length for your care workers?

Typically, shifts are at least four hours in length, to allow sufficient time for the worker to complete their tasks while providing companionship and conversation as well as relaying any issues or concerns to the individual’s family and our case management team. Depending upon the circumstances, shorter shifts may be possible (for example, if providing respite care to supplement government-provided services).

Do you provide live-in caregivers?

GEM does not provide live-in caregivers for several reasons, the most significant being that there are labour laws which govern workweek length. Weekend coverage is also an issue. Instead, we find that providing quality workers in shifts of up to 12 hours in length offers our clients superior care without the need of a live-in worker.

Does your company have experience with clients who have specific needs, such as dementia or mobility issues?

Yes, GEM has extensive experience dealing with clients of all ages who have special needs. From accident or surgery-induced mobility problems to genetic conditions, illness or age-related mobility issues, dementia and more, we have seen it all and can easily develop the most appropriate care plan for each client.

Health Care worker with senior patient and family
Family, Home care

Collaborative Approach A Key Differentiator For GEM

The concept of collaborative health care is garnering much attention and for good reasons. This team-based approach involves multiple healthcare professionals, patients, and families working together to deliver the highest quality care. Having various experts share their knowledge and insights to develop individualized treatment plans not only enhances the patient experience; it also improves health care system efficiency and optimizes patient outcomes.


GEM has long recognized that a similarly collaborative approach to home health care offers the best results. “We are firm advocates for identifying shared goals, sharing decision-making and drafting a care plan that ensures key needs are consistently met in a timely fashion,” says the company’s founder and CEO, Gaye Moffett. “This approach enables the person receiving care, their family members and the care providers to be on the same page and ensure the client’s best interests are always at the forefront.”


Collaborative care is equally important whether the client is living independently at home, receiving periodic assistance in a semi-autonomous setting such as a retirement home, or requiring more intensive support in a long-term care facility.


“Regardless of the setting or the needs of the individual, we always offer a personal approach and this has been key to both client satisfaction and our company’s longstanding success,” adds Gaye. “We have a thorough intake process to determine exactly what each client’s needs are, through home visits and telephone assessments. Similarly rigorous is the care we take in our approach to hiring and then matching our staff to clients; this is a key part of ensuring the highly individualized care plans we have created are executed successfully. Each person has unique requirements and we have been in business long enough to be experts at this assessment and matching process.”


Collaborative care is certainly nothing new to GEM; the company has utilized this approach for over 30 years and it has always been a hallmark of their professionalism. “Over 80% of our new business comes from word-of-mouth referrals, from satisfied clients or their families,” notes Gaye.


Open communication and effective care coordination are key components of GEM’s collaborative approach. “Whenever questions or issues arise, clients and families, as well as our staff members, know they can liaise 24/7 with our administrative coordinators can then draw in other individuals, such as our nursing supervisor, as needed. These coordinators are experts at getting expedited responses to ensure swift resolution,” explains Gaye. She emphasizes that GEM’s approach enhances client well-being as there is a consistency of care with the same hand-picked small team of staff attending regularly. “We know that when a health care service provider is not functioning like a well-oiled machine, there can be breakdowns in communication. There can be a lot of frustration when a client must explain their needs to a new person each day, so we work tirelessly to avoid that. We also ensure that issues are dealt with promptly and effectively by our front-line staff so clients’ health and dignity are maintained. Our approach has been proven to help people live safely in their homes for longer and we are very proud of that.”

Home care

GEM partnership with City of Ottawa provides support for low-income clients

For over ten years, GEM Health Care Services has been engaged in a partnership with
the City of Ottawa to provide support for low-income social services clients, delivering
much-needed care services tailored to individual needs.

“From the outset, I knew I wanted to grow the company to a point where we would be
able to leverage our leadership position in the health care services industry to support
those who might not otherwise be able to receive care,” says GEM’s founder, President
and CEO Gaye Moffett. “Our team members take great pride in delivering the same
compassionate care to all clients, including vulnerable populations, to allow them to live
more comfortably and safely at home.”

Currently, GEM has over 500 social services clients to whom support is provided for
various aspects of what the City designates as homemaking services. These include
cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, laundry and changing linens, plus assisting with grocery
ordering and simple meal preparation tasks.

The difference that these in-home support workers make is valued and tangible.
“Oftentimes we are the main event in their week,” notes Gaye. “We are eyes and ears to
check on wellness; clients look forward to spending some time with our caregivers who
provide warm, empathetic support which enables them to maintain their standard of
living and avoid homelessness.”

Because of this hands-on role, GEM is well positioned to observe when additional
resources might be necessary to ensure an individual is receiving appropriate care. In
these instances, GEM will liaise with the City of Ottawa’s case coordinators who will
then look after securing the necessary referrals for additional assessment and/or
support.

GEM is ideally suited to this longstanding relationship with the City of Ottawa as it is
able to leverage decades of experience providing care to individuals with physical,
mental and emotional impairments. In addition, GEM’s dedicated office coordinator
overseeing the program has exemplary skills in managing the clients and scheduling
staff.

“This partnership with the city is something we are honoured to have,” adds Gaye. “It’s
about giving back to the community. We love making a difference and providing a better
quality of life for those who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the stretched
health and care networks.”

If you feel yourself or a family member may meet the financial eligibility requirements for
City of Ottawa Home Support Services, call 613-580-2424 x24994 (or 3-1-1) and
request a referral to GEM Health Care Services. Details regarding the program can be
found on the city’s website.

Voting in Canadian Election With National Flag Backdrop Generative AI
Advocacy, Home care, Legislation

Increased home care funding a key Ontario election issue

Voters encouraged to press candidates for their views

Now that the writ has dropped for a snap election in Ontario, key provincial and national seniors’ advocacy groups are urgently calling for the next session of the legislature to approve increased funding to ensure the growing demand for home care is addressed.

Home Care Ontario has issued an appeal for further investments that would provide over 16 million more hours of home care for seniors and their families across the province. In addition, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) has officially endorsed Home Care Ontario’s call for further funding.  

For candidates in this election, the message is simple – it is paramount that all political parties prioritize care and supports for seniors, including significantly expanding the amount of home care available to help them stay safe and healthy at home.

Gaye Moffett, Founder, President and CEO of GEM Health Care Services, sits on the board of Home Care Ontario. “Home care wasn’t even mentioned in budgets 30 years ago but now it’s a hot button issue,” she says. “There isn’t one Ontarian that doesn’t want to stay at home as long as they can but without increased funding, home care services will be unattainable for many.”

Additional funding is required to support the ‘home first’ approach which experts agree is a win-win, improving quality of life for older adults while efficiently utilizing healthcare resources. By prioritizing home care over hospital or long-term care stays, seniors’ dignity and quality of life is preserved. The requested funding will support Home Care Ontario’s recommendations to support and grow the home care sector, which include:

• Increasing the number of visits and hours of home care provided by 10% a year for the next three years

• Investing $624 million over three years to improve compensation and help the sector attract and retain home care staff

• Providing specialized training and mentorship to retain skilled home care staff

• Enhancing the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit and remove the existing barriers to support increased Home Care services for Ontarians.

“This is an issue that affects everyone,” notes Moffett. “Whatever stage you are at, you should be concerned about the future of home care and you need to remember that the government is not going to fully take care of you or loved ones’ financial needs as the requirement for care services increases.”

Moffett says it is her sincere hope that the next Ontario government agrees with this request for funding that has been widely endorsed. “I hope to see it get put into the next provincial budget for approval and that money begins to flow promptly, as has not always happened in the past,” she says. “We are counting on the government to do the right thing for seniors.”

Moffett and her counterparts encourage all voters to raise the issue with candidates in their provincial ridings. For more information, visit www.homenothallways.ca  or contact us at GEM Health Care Services.

Advocacy, Home care, Legislation, Long term care, Uncategorized

Why the time for a more accessible Seniors’ Tax Credit is now

Senior Couple at Home Office Reviewing Financial Documents and Consulting Tax Advisor for Retirement Planning
Senior Couple at Home Office Reviewing Financial Documents

If you or one of your loved ones is among Ontario’s over-80 population – or approaching that age – you might be interested in the current push to implement an enhanced Seniors’ Tax Credit in our province. The timing couldn’t be more urgent, given that Ontario’s 80+ population is set to double between 2023 and 2040. Properly administered, a Seniors’ Tax Credit will enable seniors to live and receive care in their homes and communities longer, saving long term care (LTC) spaces and hospital beds for those who need them most.

The call for a more accessible Seniors’ Tax Credit is backed by a group of health care, senior living, and real estate organizations in Ontario who understand the vital role it can play in our entire health care and housing continuum. This coalition of organizations is leading the charge to persuade the provincial government to implement a tax benefit that will truly work for Ontario’s seniors. Quebec’s new program serves as a valid model; thanks to its seniors’ tax credit, that province has reduced its LTC waitlist to just over 3,700 as of October 2024, versus 47,000 in Ontario.

One of the key aims is the desire to get rid of the ‘grey market’, whereby unlicensed providers are delivering some seniors’ home care services, often under the table. The legitimate organizations providing services have a powerful, united voice and agree wholeheartedly with a recent C.D. Howe Institute research paper which outlines the need for provinces to implement smart policies to address our growing senior population and economic challenges faced by some seniors. 

The 2022 Ontario budget did introduce a new refundable personal income tax credit called the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit (OSCAH). However, the steps to qualify for OSCAH pose a challenge in that seniors must apply and be approved for a federal disability certificate in order to claim part-time attendant care in their homes as an eligible medical expense. As a result, the vast majority of home care recipients have difficulty claiming these expenses and receiving their credit. 

We all know that Ontario’s healthcare system is already stretched to the limit, and more funding alone won’t solve the capacity challenges. To sustain our healthcare system as baby boomers age, leveraging seniors’ care capacity outside of the publicly funded LTC and hospital sectors must be part of the solution. Based on current numbers, an enhanced Seniors’ Tax Credit would allow for 2400 seniors to be diverted from the LTC waitlist to be cared for in the community.

As mentioned, a more accessible tax credit will help seniors afford the necessary services that will enable them to age in the communities of their choice. It would also incentivize senior-focused development and unlock more housing units for young Ontarians who want to start families. If you agree that the time for change in Ontario is now, we encourage you to contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament and add your voice to the chorus pushing for a more accessible Seniors’ Tax Credit. For more information, please visit the Seniors’ Tax Credit website or contact us at GEM Health Care Services.

A medical professional administering a vaccine, showcasing public health and disease
Uncategorized

Promoting workplace health: Why employers should facilitate flu shots this winter

As the winter season looms, it is time for employers to consider accommodating the administration of flu shots at their workplace in order to protect people, says GEM Health Care’s Gaye Moffett. 

“Get the flu shot!” she urges. “You want your staff to stay healthy, and I know now there’s a lot of work-from-home, but you want staff to stay healthy, right? And you don’t want them to infect others,” Moffett says. 

Public health authorities have declared the end of October into November as the ideal time to update your flu shot, and GEM has been commissioned by several large organizations and corporations to administer workplace shots. These include accounting firms and investment firms, which face intense deadlines and long workdays spent attempting to meet deadlines. Employers want those workers to remain free of illness, Moffett says. 

And the more people who receive a flu shot, the better, as it will encourage herd immunity. It will also protect vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and the very young. While the flu shot will not necessarily prevent everyone from getting sick, it will diminish symptoms and assuage some suffering. 

Encourage herd immunity

Moffett would like to dispel the myth that getting the flu shot causes you to get the flu or flu symptoms. 

“What may have happened to them is that they may have been exposed to the virus before they took the flu shot, which makes them vulnerable to the virus, so they come down with the flu,” she says.

“You don’t know when you kind of get it. And then you have the shot, and it takes about five to 10 days for it to work within your body to build your immunity, and then you’re protected.”

And if you had a flu shot last year, that does not negate you from getting an additional shot this season. That’s because immunity only extends for six months.

“Even if people got it last year, they still need to get it,” Moffett says. 

Moffett says that every party that provides flu shots must be certified by the province, which GEM is. This means they meet a long list of criteria in order to be qualified to administer the shots, including proper refrigeration capabilities and trained healthcare workers. “ I have to prove that I’m a bona fide organization, that I have the insurance, and that I’ve got the capacity,” Moffett says. 

GEM Health Care certainly has the capacity to help prevent the spread of flu this season, and workplaces are urged to take advantage of their expertise and the ease of in-office immunization that GEM provides.

Serious curly haired woman manages household family budget calculates expenditures takes care of finances and savings sits at table with receipts dressed in domestic clothes poses at home
Advocacy, Aging in place, Family, Home care, Legislation

Why helping families pay for home care makes sense

For seniors, aging-in-place at home is the most comfortable, safe, and affordable option.

That’s why Gaye Moffett is on the board of Home Care Ontario, to work closely with other home care advocates to keep their work top of mind with every level of government.

Here’s what they’re working on right now to get families more support:

Home care co-payments and tax credits

Right now, anyone admitted to a long-term care facility only pays part of the cost. The government subsidizes the rest. 

As an alternative to moving people to a long-term care facility,  Gaye is advocating for a co-pay option to support clients at home. It’s a good investment for the government to make. With less overhead, providing care at home is more cost-effective than at a facility.

Other government incentives are also on the table, such as enhancing tax credits like the Ontario Seniors Care at Home (OSCAH) tax credit, and exempting family-funded care from sales taxes like the HST.

Raising the reputation, visibility and awareness of family-funded home care

One of the biggest challenges home care providers face is the invisibility of the work they do.

When you drive past a hospital or long-term care facility, you know there are people being cared for within those walls. It’s easy to forget that care is also being provided in people’s private homes.

Gaye and her colleagues are raising awareness by advocating for accreditation for family-funded care providers, agency licensing, an authority to over see allied health, and stronger enforcement of labour standards in the grey market to protect people from unlicensed ‘caregivers’ advertising their services on Kijiji.

Contributing to health system transformation

With health system transformation underway due to the pandemic, Gaye wants people to know how family-funded care providers are contributing to those efforts.

That’s why they’re sending educational materials to Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) about their work. 

They’re also engaging the OHTs directly to explain why enhancing home care services is a better option than creating ‘add-on’ services via retirement homes, which come with overhead costs similar to long-term care facilities.

For Gaye and her fellow advocates, investing in home care just makes sense.

AdobeStock 463878249 scaled
Advocacy

When it comes to navigating home care, we have your back

Finding help for your loved one when they need it the most is never easy.

That’s why Gaye Moffett truly is a ‘gem’ (pardon the pun) when it comes to advocating for her clients and the public in general.

Here are a few ways she pitches in: 

Talking to insurance companies

Being fortunate enough to have private insurance may be a wonderful thing, but getting it approved can sometimes be a challenge.

Insurance companies need to know that the care you need reaches the threshold for a nurse, not just homemaking or personal care.

If for some reason you get turned down, you may not know what to do next. 

This is where Gaye steps in on behalf of her clients. She will contact your insurance company herself and explain why a nursing level of care is required, which helps speed up the approval process.

Representing her clients with Home Care Ontario 

One of the benefits of the Canadian healthcare system is that it combines public options with family-funded care.

This creates a flexibility that allows folks with private insurance to supplement what they’re already eligible for. However, this can also make the system more complex and tough to navigate.

That’s why Gaye takes an active role with Home Care Ontario, to be aware of gaps in the system so she can advocate for family-funded care providers.

By staying in the loop, Gaye helps her clients get the care they need while reducing demand on the public system.

Identifies and advocates for key pieces of legislation to reduce home care costs for Ontarians

By networking with other home care professionals and developing strong working relationships with officials at every level of government, Gaye has her eye on the big picture. 

Through her understanding of how each level of government supports home care services for all Canadians, she can effectively advocate for specific legislation changes. 

In addition to playing a part in the Ontario government’s legislation that requires the licensing of Temporary Help Agencies, Gaye is working behind the scenes on two more key pieces of legislation that will make home care more affordable at the provincial and federal levels.

GEM nurse psw 20240124 093806 0000
Home care

When do I need a nurse vs. a personal support worker?

“I need a nurse,” is what Gaye Moffett often hears when she picks up the phone.

But a nurse may not be the level of care you or your loved one needs right now to live comfortably at home for as long as possible.

So how do you know you’re getting the right level of care? 

In Ontario, the first step is to call 310-2222 (no area code required) to find the Home and Community Care Support Service provider in your area.

They’ll assign a case manager to assess your situation and determine whether you need a nurse or personal support worker. Once that’s done you can top up your eligible hours with a family-funded provider like GEM.

Here’s what to expect from the professionals who will be helping you. 

When you need a nurse

As a rule, you don’t need a nurse unless you are acutely ill or injured, or have a chronic condition that requires ongoing nursing support, like having a peg tube that needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection.

While there are two types of nurses — registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) — you can rest assured that they’re all registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. 

For the most part they carry out the same duties, but RNs are typically responsible for planning and monitoring care, while RPNs carry the plan out. 

Care plans could include administering medications, wound care, changing dressings, monitoring blood pressure, administering oxygen therapy and collecting specimens. 

When you need personal support 

Personal support workers, home support workers, and companions are the people who help you live in your home independently, while lowering the risk of illness or injury that could land you in the hospital.

Personal support workers (PSWs) are college-trained, certified professionals who help people with their activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and dressing. Sounds simple, but knowing how to transfer someone safely in and out of the tub with a lift requires specific training.

Home support workers (HSWs) are also certified and trained in their field, and assist in all facets of home management, including meal preparation, light housekeeping, and assistance with shopping.

Companions who work for GEM must complete the company’s training course. Sitters ensure the safety and security of a client by assisting with all levels of companionship, emotional support and activity attendance. They are able to accompany a resident to and from appointments and record information as required.

In a world where it’s clear most people want to live at home, and delivering care at home is the most cost effective option for our health system, calling on GEM to make it possible could be the option for you and your family. Call (613) 761-7474 to learn more.