What is the difference between a PSW and a Nurse?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and understanding the distinction is crucial for effective planning of care. A Personal Support Worker (PSW) helps with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, feeding, and light housekeeping. They support comfort and hygiene, and they can remind a client to take medication, but they cannot legally administer it, such as giving injections, dressing deep wounds, or dispensing controlled narcotics. A Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is responsible for medical procedures, including wound care, catheter changes, injections, and medical assessments. At Love From The Heart, our focus is on PSW services. However, we frequently work alongside visiting nurses (such as those from LHIN / Home and Community Care). We provide daily living support while the nurse handles medical tasks, creating a more comprehensive safety net without the cost of having a nurse present for non-medical support, such as cooking or companionship.

Can we mix and match services, or change them later?

Absolutely. Health needs are rarely static; they change over time. You might start with Companion Care to help your father get used to having someone in the home—perhaps a few hours a week for companionship, such as playing cards and sharing lunch. As needs shift, you might add Personal Care for showers or dressing, or Medication Reminders if forgetfulness increases. We view care plans as living documents. You are not locked into a rigid contract that no longer fits. A post-surgery client may require 24-hour care for the first week, then transition to personal care for a month, and later receive occasional respite. We maintain open communication with the family, and if our PSW notices any changes, we will flag them and suggest adjustments to the plan. Flexibility is a core value for us as a locally owned agency.

How do you select a caregiver for my parent?

Matching a caregiver to a client is more than a scheduling task. We consider personality, skills, and interests. During the free consultation, we ask questions that help us understand the client’s preferences, including pace, temperament, and household considerations. With that profile, we review our team of PSWs to find a suitable fit, including relevant experience (such as dementia training) and a compatible temperament. Once we find the match, we strive for consistency so that the PSW becomes a familiar and trusted face. If the fit isn’t right, we will make the necessary changes quickly. Comfort comes first.

Are your services covered by insurance?

Love From The Heart is a private care agency, which means services are typically paid out-of-pocket by the family. However, there may be avenues for support. Many extended health benefits plans include coverage for home care or nursing support, especially after hospitalization. We recommend checking your policy for coverage of Personal Support Workers, Home Care, or Convalescent Care. In Ontario, some tax credits may help offset costs, such as the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit. For those with long-term care insurance, services often qualify for reimbursement. While we are not directly funded by OHIP for assigned home care hours, many families use private care to supplement limited public coverage.

Services | Love From The Heart Homecare Inc.

At Love From The Heart Homecare Inc., we offer a complete range of in-home care services—designed to support seniors, disabled adults, post-op clients, and families across Ontario. Whether you need a quick one-hour visit or continuous 24-hour support, our trained PSWs bring compassion, professionalism, and flexibility to every home. We prioritize consistent caregivers, emotional and cognitive wellness, and your loved one’s dignity above all. Explore our services below to find the right fit for your family.

Our services are designed to fill the gaps in day-to-day life, helping you or your loved one remain safely at home—the place that feels most comfortable and familiar. Because we are locally owned and operate on a neighbourhood model, we can offer flexibility that is rare in this industry. We don’t force you into long, expensive shifts if you don’t need them. If you only require a single hour of support to start the day safely, we can help. If you need 24-hour monitoring for a complex condition, we can help with that, too.

What is the difference between a PSW and a Nurse?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and understanding the distinction is crucial for effective planning of care. A Personal Support Worker (PSW) helps with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, feeding, and light housekeeping. They support comfort and hygiene, and they can remind a client to take medication, but they cannot legally administer it, such as giving injections, dressing deep wounds, or dispensing controlled narcotics.

A Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is responsible for medical procedures, including wound care, catheter changes, injections, and medical assessments. At Love From The Heart, our focus is on PSW services. However, we frequently work alongside visiting nurses (such as those from LHIN / Home and Community Care). We provide daily living support while the nurse handles medical tasks, creating a more comprehensive safety net without the cost of having a nurse present for non-medical support, such as cooking or companionship.
Can we mix and match services, or change them later?
Absolutely. Health needs are rarely static; they change over time. You might start with Companion Care to help your father get used to having someone in the home—perhaps a few hours a week for companionship, such as playing cards and sharing lunch. As needs shift, you might add Personal Care for showers or dressing, or Medication Reminders if forgetfulness increases.

We view care plans as living documents. You are not locked into a rigid contract that no longer fits. A post-surgery client may require 24-hour care for the first week, then transition to personal care for a month, and later receive occasional respite. We maintain open communication with the family, and if our PSW notices any changes, we will flag them and suggest adjustments to the plan. Flexibility is a core value for us as a locally owned agency.
How do you select a caregiver for my parent?
Matching a caregiver to a client is more than a scheduling task. We consider personality, skills, and interests. During the free consultation, we ask questions that help us understand the client’s preferences, including pace, temperament, and household considerations.

With that profile, we review our team of PSWs to find a suitable fit, including relevant experience (such as dementia training) and a compatible temperament. Once we find the match, we strive for consistency so that the PSW becomes a familiar and trusted face. If the fit isn’t right, we will make the necessary changes quickly. Comfort comes first.
Are your services covered by insurance?
Love From The Heart is a private care agency, which means services are typically paid out-of-pocket by the family. However, there may be avenues for support. Many extended health benefits plans include coverage for home care or nursing support, especially after hospitalization. We recommend checking your policy for coverage of Personal Support Workers, Home Care, or Convalescent Care.

In Ontario, some tax credits may help offset costs, such as the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit. For those with long-term care insurance, services often qualify for reimbursement. While we are not directly funded by OHIP for assigned home care hours, many families use private care to supplement limited public coverage.