Improved Regulation of Senior Companion Services

We are orchestrating a call-to-action for the Ontario government to stand up and take notice that regulations need to be in place for senior service providers; not just the retirement residences.

Over the last many months the government spent millions of dollars on a campaign around senior abuse, yet they are the ones abusing seniors buy not regulating the care providers. Please see the campaign here

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=458809

There are hundreds of senior companion services available in just the Greater Toronto Area, but how do any of know who to trust and where to turn? There is no stamp of approval.

Presently world-class leaders of the United States are turning to Canada for our exemplary health care system; however, the U.S. has regulations in place, for many of the states, far more advanced than the Canadians.
Please see some examples of states with regulations:

1) Colorado - http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/
2) Maryland - http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/
3) Illinois - http://www.idph.state.il.us/
4) Nebraska - http://www.publichealthne.org/
5) North Carolina - http://www.ncpha.com/

In response to an undercover article written in the Toronto Star -

Part 1) http://www.thestar.com/article/696940
Part 2) http://www.thestar.com/article/697577

Families, loved ones, and seniors should be educated in all care decisions. The use of a senior care service should not be a sign of defeat, it should be a sign of companionship. People should be educated on their decisions of hiring a staffing agency vs. a private care provider. There should be tips, suggestions and advice given by an accredited source - such as the Ontario government.