2007 Archive

Choose to Care

Hilda Bredlow

Become a Health Care Aide

For more than 40 years, Hilda Bredlow has been helping people in her role as a health care aide in the Edmonton area. In that time, she has created a lot of good memories and friends.

"I started working in 1966 at Good Samaritan Mount Pleasant Care Centre and now it is just incredible the number of families I run into in the malls who recognize me," she says. "They come up and give me a hug because I have cared for their family members."

Bredlow is just one of the 15,000 health care aides who work in continuing care across Alberta. These aides comprise the bulk of the approximately 18,000 Albertans who are working in this field. However, similar to many other careers in Alberta the field is currently experiencing a shortage of 2000 workers due to the province's economic situation.

Addressing the shortfall is the reason behind a new provincial campaign launched recently. In the Edmonton area, Capital Health partners with the provincial government, other health regions, and the Alberta Continuing Care Association in a recruitment campaign to get people interested in this field.

Making the decision to become a health care aide is a rewarding choice, says Bredlow. "There's never a dull moment. Every day is different and it is a very rewarding job."

She also points out the job also offers flexible hours, provides a bridge to other health careers such as a licensed practical nurse, and offers the personal satisfaction of caring for people from your own community. You can also choose health care aide positions in all three streams of continuing care: facility living, supportive living and home living.

"One thing for certain - I get back from the residents way more then I give," Bredlow says. "We laugh together and we cry together. When you do personal care for residents you become their life line. They trust you and respect you.  I always think to myself if I was them – how would I want to be treated?"

"If I can help someone each day," says Bredlow, "I know I have had a good life."

The health care aide recruitment project launched in Alberta this week has a web site www.choose2care.ca. Albertans who do not have access to a computer can call toll free for an information package at 1-888-313-0033.