Comfort Keepers® Code of Ethics

We, at Comfort Keepers® are committed to being an integral part of the communities we serve. We are responsible for acting professionally and in a client-centered manner, upholding the dignity and honour of our clients, and practicing in agreement with ethical principles. This Code of Ethics is intended to provide Comfort Keepers with specific ethical principles to use when addressing situations that may be encountered and as a guide for managing relationships with clients; family members and others in the support team; other health care practitioners; and the public. This code is intended to complement laws, codes, and standards of professional practice.

ADVOCACY: Comfort Keepers has the responsibility to help improve the awareness, accessibility, and quality of our services by advocating on behalf of our clients.  Comfort Keepers will seek guidance both internally and externally for those situations that could place the organization and/or its clients at risk.

CLIENT AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY: Comfort Keepers recognizes that the community setting represents a unique environment for health sector employees.  Comfort Keepers will take available steps to assess and minimize risk to clients while being sensitive to their wishes. Comfort Keepers will also take necessary measures to ensure the personal safety of employees. Safety concerns of both clients and employees will be reported and addressed in a supportive and nonthreatening way. After all, factors have been considered, Comfort Keepers may withdraw services if employee safety is compromised.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITIY SERVICES: Comfort Keepers is committed to providing the highest quality services that will benefit our clients within their available resources.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Client information is confidential. Comfort Keepers will adhere to confidential management of client information and Protected Health Information in compliance with provincial and PIPEDA regulations. Comfort Keepers will ensure that clients and their legal substitutes are informed of their rights to consent to the sharing of the necessary information with individuals and organizations directly involved in the client’s care.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No Comfort Keepers owner, employee, or sub-contracted supplier will compromise services to our clients for the benefit of the organization or individual.

DIGNITY: In all our interactions Comfort Keepers will demonstrate profound respect for human dignity.  We will be responsive and sensitive to diversity among our clients, employees, and the community at large.

FAIR AND EQUITABLE ACCESS: Comfort Keepers believes that each individual is entitled to an unbiased assessment of their needs. Comfort Keepers will ensure that services are provided based solely on the client’s needs, regardless of income, age, gender, ethnicity or race, physical or mental ability, or any other factors such as diverse behaviours or lifestyles.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING:  Comfort Keepers will use a holistic approach to clients’ health care needs acknowledging all things important to them in their community.

INFORMED CHOICE AND EMPOWERMENT: Comfort Keepers believes that most individuals have the ability and the right to make decisions about their health.  Comfort Keepers will assist clients to make care plans and life choices in keeping with the clients’ values, beliefs, and health care goals. Comfort Keepers will ensure that clients are fully informed of their options and have the information needed to make informed decisions about their health and care.  Following due process, if the client is determined to be incapable of making these decisions, we will take directions from the client’s legal substitute.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COMMUNITY AGENCIES:  Comfort Keepers fully appreciate the complexity and need for coordination that can often arise in the care of a client.  We agree to respect each organization’s role, and to work together in the spirit of collaboration to maximize the effectiveness of client services, regardless of any potential competitive aspect of the relationship.