In Memoriam - Henk Engels

Henk Engels, Executive Director - Ontario Track 3 Ski Association

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Henk Engels, Ontario Track 3 Executive Director, passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday April 7, 2014 while resting in North York General Hospital.

Henk Engels 73, graciously and generously gave over 37 years of service to children with disabilities and the Ontario Track 3 Ski Association.  Henk was an early partner of Ontario Track 3 as a volunteer ski instructor and was instrumental in the transition from an Ontario Easter Seals program to a highly respected independent charitable organization.  Over his many years of service he selflessly contributed as an instructor, fund raiser, board member, President and Executive Director.  Henk has played an important role in changing the lives of thousands of children with special needs. His contributions and accomplishments are truly reflected in Ontario Track 3 as one of his life’s great legacies. 

Henk is survived and missed most by his loving wife Susan, his proud sons Kevin and Randy and his grandson Bret. 

Our most sincere condolences and sympathies are expressed to family and friends on behalf of the Track 3 Board of Directors, staff members, volunteers, students of past and present and all association members.

Further information about visitations and the funeral service will be posted on the Track 3 website at www.track3.org  as details become available.

Steve Jones
President
Ontario Track 3 Ski Association

Bob Cohen Remembered

During the past 30 years I have witnessed a consistent transformation of the Canadian staffing industry and its players.   In the early 80’s, the industry was truly “entrepreneurial”.  At the time, Bob Cohen was the founder and President of Staffing Consultants.  He was a leader of the staffing industry’s entrepreneurial spirit.

I originally met Bob Cohen in Toronto in 1983 or 1984 at an Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services meeting (formerly FTHS and CATS) and he quickly became a trusted mentor and advisor.  He believed that we could all thrive and succeed in our fledgling industry if we would collaborate together to promote the industry, share best practices, and set standards.  While some owners were naturally untrusting, insular, protective and secretive around competitors, Bob Cohen was the exact opposite.  He set a positive example for openness, sharing and professionalism. His goal was to make it a better industry for us all.

As a newcomer to the industry, I turned to Bob and few other industry greats for guidance, advice and leadership.  If you know a bit about the Canadian staffing industry’s past, you’ll understand why I associate Bob Cohen with Gil Rosen, Bill Coke and Ted Turner.  These guys cared and worked hard to foster the health and growth of an industry that has now become an important and integral part of Canadian business success.

Bob understood that relationships of trust are the key ingredient to successful collaboration. He phoned, he met, he talked, he was professional but most of all, he was personal.  Almost every time that we greeted each other or laughed or departed, Bob was comfortable in putting a hand on my shoulder.   Bob and I had many lunch meetings in Toronto, drinks in Montreal, dinners in Dallas and laughed in streets of Las Vegas.  Some men have the knack for comfortably nurturing relationships of trust and confidence.  He was that man.

With over 40 years in the industry Bob knew and influenced countless others as he did me.  He was instrumental in the staffing industry association merger, various industry public relations projects, government lobbying, conference planning and became the North American expert in staffing business valuations, mergers and acquisitions.

Together with his friend and business partner Sam Sacco, they successfully completed over 140 staffing industry M&A transactions.

Bob passed away peacefully on Saturday.  I know that I speak for many when say that our thoughts and prayers are with Bob and his family, especially his loving wife Debra.  He will be missed and always thought of with tremendous respect for his knowledge, his accomplishments, his values and his friendship.

Bob was instrumental and influential over many of the changes to the Canadian staffing industry. But while the business changed and evolved, the personality, the commitment and honourable nature of the man behind it remained the same.  Bob Cohen – Rest in Peace.

http://steelesmemorialchapel.com/condolence.html?fid=2456605.84482639#!  

“Cohen, Robert A. (Bob). Passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Beloved husband of Debra Joy Eklove. Devoted father of Paul Cohen, Julie and Corey Chandler. Adoring grandfather of Hudson Davis and Smith Beckett Chandler. Brother of Michael Cohen and Stephen Cohen both of California. Bob was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Toronto to begin a business in the staffing industry. His passion as a teacher was expressed through his work in schools, as an entepreneur and leader in the Staffing industry for 40 years, as a baseball coach, mentor and scout for the Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office. His strength and courage, and feisty character will be sorely missed by family, many lifelong friends and colleagues.”

Canadian Labour Market Survey - September Surprise Data!

Finally, Statistics Canada reports believable numbers suggesting that employment was relatively unchanged in September.  The unemployment rate dipped under 7% as fewer youth searched for work.   

Shockingly, the numbers bureau reported a decline in youth job seekers during September when students returned to university and college.  So much for seasonal adjustments but common sense prevails over their typical strange revelations. 

In recent months, Statistics Canada’s has portrayed a roller coaster of economic ups and downs.  The wonky monthly data has proven to be unreliable and inaccurate. It is important to note that the Canadian Labour Market Survey is just that… a “Survey”. The monthly report is not intended to be a fact but that doesn't stop money traders and stock brokers from overreacting to the numbers, It's best to just stand back and observe the silliness.

Unemployment Rate

 

If the economy was really as volatile as the numbers suggest, we would all be in a persistent state of anxiety. The agency reported 11,000 jobs created in September, with 59,000 created in August, job losses in July and a massive 95,000 jobs gained in June.   

Employment and staffing industry professionals know there are far more reliable sources of information than the Statistics Canada Ouija Board Report.  For starters, the Canadian Staffing Index produced by ACSESS (Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services) is the largest Canadian sample of actual hours worked and should be viewed as one of the more reliable job indicators.  

According to StatsCan, Canadians gained 212,000 since last September, representing an increase of 1.2%. The number of workers in the job market also grew a similar pace.   Disappointingly, job creation continues to grow faster in part-time employment than full time.  

From the ACSESS website, “The Canadian Staffing Index was 113 in August. The index was unchanged from August a year ago, when the index was also 113.”    The Canadian Staffing Index is based upon actual hours worked for a significantly large sampling of temporary staffing providers in Canada. It is based upon the number of billed hours and is not seasonally adjusted.
  
"The August value of 113 is unchanged from a year ago, which implies flat or slightly positive growth in demand given that there was one fewer working day this August compared to a year ago. For most of 2013, the index has shown a trend of very minimal year-over-year growth in overall demand," says Timothy Landhuis, Research Analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts.

It will be interesting to see how the markets react to the ho-hum information.  My advice continues to be “Buy low, sell high and don’t read too much into the Statistics Canada Ouija Board report on the Labour Market”.

Best Baseball Song - The Pitcher

This is Harry Hildebrand's original song and performance of "The Pitcher".  The Best Baseball song ever.   Hildebrand is a Mississauga, Ontario resident and mechanical engineer specializing in commercial HVAC systems.  He's hit a home run with "The Pitcher", a ballad describing the hopes and heartbreaks of every kid with the promise, talent and chance to go to the show.    Rumour has it that some of America's musical greats are already showing interest in re-recording this song which will surely be recorded time and time again throughout the future as one of the best baseball songs ever written.. 

Congratulations Harry!    Are those cameo performances by Bob Skeates?  Whoa! 

Toronto In-Home Care Blog

Evaluate Your Options Using the Ontario Health Care Website

Posted by Steve Jones

Mon, Aug 12, 2013

We shouldn't feel frustrated and discouraged when searching for Ontario health care. However, many of us do. We end up having more questions than answers. Is the website credible? Which doctors are accepting new patients? What are the wait times for surgeries?

Start with the Health Care Options website. As a division of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website, the website offers us many Ontario health care resources. You can find the right health services and nearby facilities, connect to a new doctor, get surgery wait times, and learn about the Ontario Health Insurance Plan all through one website.
Health Care Options Directory
The Health Care Options Directory puts you in touch with the health care service and facility you need. Using the interactive directory tool box, you select the services and facilities you or your loved ones are looking for in Ontario. You can further narrow your search by selecting a language preference and distance.

If you are unsure of what type of service or facility you need, the Health Care Options Directory includes a reference list on care centres below the directory tool box.
Health Care Connect

For those of us without a doctor, Health Care Connect connects us with family health care providers accepting new patients. Health Care Connect is a referral program with steps from ensuring eligibility to registering in the program and from finding a doctor to booking an appointment.


Health Care Options Searchable Tools

Ontario Wait Times has two searchable tools to make scheduling procedures and waiting in the emergency room bearable.

The Ontario Wait Times for surgeries, MRIs and CTs provides wait times for adult and paediatric procedures. Through a series of easy click-and-answer prompts, you can get access to wait times for multiple procedures scheduled throughout the province. This tool is a convenient search option when comparing procedure wait times at different hospitals and facilities.

The Ontario Wait Times for emergency rooms provides wait times for ER visits. Emergency room wait times represent the total time for the visit, from initial registration to final release or hospital transfer.

To note, Ontario Wait Times does not provide real-time information. All waits times are based on the wait times for 9 out of 10 patients. You can learn more about Ontario Wait Times on the frequently asked question pages for surgeries and diagnostic imaging and ER visits.

Learning Health Care Options

Learning about health care options before needing them alleviates some of the stress associated with finding the right Ontario health care for you or your loved ones. The Health Care Options website offers a user-friendly reference guide. On the Learn about your options webpage, you and your loved ones can access information on types of care centres and watch videos.

More Valuable Resources

The Health Care Options website connects you to more valuable health resources. Scroll down to the bottom of the homepage to find links to:

   
• the 24/7 TeleHealth Ontario line to speak with a registered nurse.
   
• Health Care Options Fact Sheets to understand health care in Ontario and read about health services in other languages. 
   
• Ontario's Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) to get updates and eligibility requirements.
   
• ColonCancerCheck to learn about the screening program.

The Health Care Options website takes the guesswork out of searching for Ontario health care. The website also alleviates the uneasiness some of us experience when browsing the internet for health services and resources; we never know what to expect. So, start with this list of resources. Or, explore Health Care Options on your own.

Topics: Healthcare system, Community partners

​

Our NEW Toronto In-Home Care Digest

The Toronto Home Care Digest for August 2, 2013

Posted by Steve Jones

Fri, Aug 2, 2013

Get the latest home health care tips, news, and updates!

FROM OUR BLOG...

4 Ways For Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis to Avoid Infection

Sometimes, prevention is the best medicine.

• Reduce comorbidity
• Use anti-bacterial practices
• Provide good skin care
• Shift positions frequently

Home Care Services to Help You Live Longer, Happier, More Fulfilled Lives

Many people who would benefit from homecare services don't take action because they don't know about their options.

5 Dietary Tips to Help Manage COPD Symptoms

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) symptoms can be manageable via your diet. Here are five nutritional tips to manage your COPD symptoms and avoid exacerbating your condition.

FROM AROUND THE WEB...

Province Changes Physio Rules

Cutbacks in spending from the Ontario Ministry of Health means less government-provided physiotherapy treatments that many senior Ontarians need.

5 Moves for Seniors that Improve Balance and Coordination

These five exercises, provided by author Karen Peterson, can help seniors stay in shape and reduce the chance of injuries and falls.

This Weekend: Things to Do in Toronto

It's the August Civic Holiday this weekend! Don't miss out on concerts, music festivals, foodie fests, and more.

Subscribe to our blog to get new articles directly in your inbox!

Be a Superhero for Your Family

Be a Superhero for Your Family

Posted by Steve Jones,  Homecare Franchise owner for Toronto South, East York, Etobicoke, Black Creek

Wed, Jul 17, 2013

One time my family went out to the lake at our cottage. My daughter climbed onto this battery-powered floaty. She drove circles around us for hours. At one point she started to drive away from me. I thought I could swim fast enough to catch up to her. So I let her get about 10 yards away, and then I started to swim towards her. I realized that the speed of that device was about the same speed that I could swim and I couldn't catch up to her.

I swam as hard as I could until I had to quit. She had thought it was a game, and when she saw me quit she eventually stopped and turned around. But my heart was broken. I honestly thought that I had this 'Superhero Syndrome', that if my daughter's life was ever in danger, nothing could stop me from protecting her.

As a family member, when we're caring for someone we love, we honestly think, and we convince ourselves that we can take care of the ones we love. We tell ourselves things like, I can look after them; I can stay up all night with them at the hospital; I can feed them, care for them, lift and move them; I can do everything they need from me.

People naturally want to care for their families and they will try after grandpa is diagnosed with dementia or grandma ends up in the hospital after a serious fall. But you know what? We're all human. We're not superheroes. As the family caregivers, we have the best intentions and hugest of hearts, but we get tired, hurt or sick. We could get angry and suffer all kinds of emotional stress.

Sooner or later, caregivers realize they can't do everything on their own. By recognizing their own Superhero Syndrome sooner rather than later, caregivers can ask for help and everyone will be better for it. Getting help in their mission to care for their loved one is often the greatest superhero act they can commit.

That's why we're in this business. We're glad to provide every day superheroes with relief. We create a care plan that includes the family caregivers as part of the care plan, without being the only part. Adding additional caregivers or a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to the care plan balances out the balancing act, allowing the family members to be involved an an appropriate level and still take care of themselves. They can feel good about caring for their loved ones without the burden of having a second full-time job.

Of course, everybody has their reasons for needing help or a caregiver. It could be because a family caregiver is overly stressed with caring for a loved one on their own. It could be because a patient wants a few hours of help after receiving outpatient cosmetic surgery. It could be because it's a palliative situation and the patient prefers to be at home rather than in the hospital. Or, it could just be because they're alone and need help with daily living. Everyone has their reasons so we don't focus so much on the reasons. We care about providing a solution that works for everyone involved.

To learn more about the services Qualicare provides and the level of care we show, call us at 416-628-0360.   www.QualicareToronto.com

Image courtesy of www.guzer.com

When Allison Hunt found out that she needed a new hip -- and that Canada’s national health care system would require her to spend nearly 2 years on a waiting list (and in pain) -- she took matters into her own hands.
"So by now I was walking the lobby, and of course, that hurt, because of my hip, and I kind of needed a sign. And I saw a sign. In the window of the hospital's tiny gift shop there was a sign that said, 'Volunteers Needed.' Hmm. Well, they signed me up immediately. No reference checks. None of the usual background stuff, no. They were desperate for volunteers because the average age of the volunteer at the hospital gift shop was 75."



Allison Hunt has worked in advertising and marketing for 20 years, developing human insight and persuasion into an art for her clients. Six years after getting an artificial hip, she decided to try something new.

Moral of the story - What goes around comes around -  Volunteerism can help transform business, government, systems or process into organizations with soul.  It's always about the people.

You can also read my Steve Jones Leadership Blogs on the Qualicare home healthcare website at www.QualicareToronto.com