When I learned about the Tailored Outreach Program (TOP), I thought our organization could benefit from it. We are COR certified [Certificate of Recognition], but still, there are improvements we can make. We want to create more safety awareness for our staff and empower them to say no to unsafe work.

When we go through a COR audit, we are left with a lot of homework and often on our own to find solutions. Through TOP and with support from SafeCare BC, we can bounce ideas around and lean on their expertise to let us know we are on the right track. Searching for reliable resources and tools that are relevant to our sector can be challenging but even more difficult when you’re trying to do it on your own.

Our injury rates have decreased, but we want to reduce them further. The challenge for our workers is the changing physical environment depending on the client. In long-term care, homes are built with care staff in mind. In home care they are set up for the clients, not the staff. Access to equipment is also challenging because it often takes time from the initial assessment to when the equipment arrives.

If you want to lower your injury rates and the costs associated with it, this is a good way. It’s just the beginning, but I’m confident that being part of TOP will make a big difference for us, and I would encourage other organizations to understand how TOP can help their organizations.

Director of Home Care, Lower Mainland